2022 World Cup: Qatar emerges first host to lose opening tournament
Qatar became the first host nation to lose an opening match of the tournament.
Enner Valencia’s two first-half goals led Ecuador to a dominant 2-0 victory over Qatar on Sunday
Valencia, who had already had a third-minute header ruled out by VAR for offside, slotted in the tournament’s opening goal from the penalty spot in the 16th minute after being brought down by nervous-looking Qatari goalkeeper, Saad Alsheeb.
He powered home a 31st-minute header for the second and the South Americans then cruised home as an outclassed Qatar struggled to mount any meaningful attacks and had only a fluffed header by Almoez Ali to show for their limited efforts.
The scoreline could have as well ended 3-0 in the first half with Valencia grabbing a hat-trick but his first goal off an header was ruled out by VAR for an offside.
Valencia would then step up to convert from the spot in the 16th minute in what was a revenge for his disallowed goal, putting Ecuador ahead.
Connecting to a header, Valencia doubled the lead for the South Americans in the 30th minute.
Qatar came off the second half a much improved team as they sought to equalize and salvage a point from the game but La Tri were determined to claim all three points as they held on to their two-goal lead.
The win sees Ecuador sit on top of the table with three points till Netherlands face Senegal on Monday.
