Fenerbahçe forward Enner Valencia scored twice as Ecuador defeated host nation Qatar 2-0 in the opening match of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
The 33-year-old captain of Ecuador’s team had his header in the third minute controversially ruled out for offside.
Valencia was all over the pitch, initiating and sometimes, finishing dangerous attacking moves. Indeed, the energetic forward was not to be denied his goal in the 16th minute.
The forward opened scoring from the spot after he was brought down in the box by Qatar goalkeeper Saad Alsheeb. The experienced player stepped up and coolly sent the goalkeeper the wrong way.
ALSO READ: Qatar 2022: LGBTQ rights, discrimination problems ahead most expensive World Cup tournament
In front of the over 67,000 fans present at the Al Bayt stadium, the Qatari team could not contain the more organised Ecuadorians.
Ecuador quickly added a second in the 31st minute as they continued to dominate. Valencia met an inviting cross, with his header sending the ball to the far post. The Ecuadorian fans present at the stadium went sent into much excitement.
There wasn’t much interesting action in the second half as Ecuador saw out the game with the first win of the tournament. Qatar are making their debut at a World Cup tournament and it proved to be a disappointing outing for the hosts.
Fans have already written off Qatar from qualifying from the group that also contains Senegal and the Netherlands. The defeat means Qatar are the first hosts in the history of the World Cup to lose the opening match.
Discover more from News Round The Clock
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
