On Sunday at the Al Bayt Stadium, Ecuador easily defeated Qatar 2-0 thanks to Enner Valencia’s three goals in the first half, one of which was ruled out for offside.
Despite spending six months in camp before to the tournament’s start, Qatar failed to make a good first impression and lost its opening match, making history as the first host nation to lose a World Cup.
In a tense opening to the game, Enner Valencia’s close-range header was disallowed for offside by the video assistance referee; yet, the South Americans went on to score soon after.
Valencia was fouled in the box by Qatar goalkeeper Saad al-Sheeb, and the Fernabache attacker scored the resulting penalty.
Before the intermission, Valencia scored another header, making the Al Bayt Stadium eerily silent.
Before the intermission, Valencia scored another header, making the Al Bayt Stadium eerily silent.
However, a knee injury prompted the former West Ham player to exit the game. Ecuador will be hoping that it is not severe enough to prevent him from playing in the games against Senegal and the Netherlands.
Although Senegal and the Netherlands are also in the group and are heavily favoured to finish in the top two, Ecuador has off to a fantastic start and must not get comfortable.