Ecuador defeats the hosts 2-0 thanks to a brace from Enner Valencia
The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar kicked off on Sunday the 20th of November. The first match saw the hosts, Qatar, lose 0-2 to Ecuador with a brace from their captain Enner Valencia.
The Fenerbahce forward had a goal disallowed in the third minute due to a controversial offside decision. But he was fouled in the 15th minute inside the penalty area by Al Sheeb, the Qatari keeper. Valencia sent Al Sheeb the wrong way to score the 1st goal of the tournament from the penalty spot. He doubled his and his team's advantage just after the half hour mark with a bullet header from an Angelo Preciado cross. Qatar had a golden opportunity towards the end of the 1st half when Almoez Ali, who was unmarked in the box, headed wide.
Ten minutes into the second half saw Romario Ibarra test Al Sheeb from the edge of the penalty area, but the latter saved the shot. With five minutes to go before the end, Qatari defender Bassam Al Rawi made a threatening long pass to the substitute Mohammed Muntari, who subsequently came close to testing the Ecuadorian goalkeeper, Hernan Galindez.
Qatar became the first ever host nation to lose its opening game at the tournament. Al Ennabi will be looking to bounce back from this loss when it faces Senegal on 25th November. Meanwhile, La Tricolor will hope to carry this momentum into its next match against the Netherlands, also on the same day as Qatar vs Senegal.