Ecuador got off to a winning start against hosts Qatar in the tournament opener at Al Bayt Stadium as the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 got underway after a stunning opening ceremony.
Hosts Qatar lose 2-0 to Ecuador in the opening World Cup match, as Enner Valencia scores both goals.
Enner Valencia netted an early one for Ecuador in the third minute before it was disallowed by the video assistant referee (VAR) at Al Bayt Stadium. Valencia again put the ball into Qatar’s net, with a penalty kick, in the 16th minute, and then in the 31st, he scored again with an accurate header.
Ecuador now leads Group A of World Cup with 3 points. Senegal will take on the Netherlands in the next Group A match on Monday.
Qatar who played in front of Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, other Qatari royals, and several foreign leaders in a crowd of 67,372, only had five shots in the match and none were on target. The team had just two touches inside the opposition penalty area.
Qatar became the only host nation to lose an opening match in the history of the World Cup. Qatari fans began filing out of the Al Bayt Stadium on Sunday long before the final whistle after a dominant display from the Ecuadorans.
