Enner Valencia's two first-half goals led Ecuador to a dominant 2-0 victory over Qatar yesterday as the home nation froze on their big night with an error-strewn display that left them as the first 2022 World Cup hosts to lose their opening game.
Valencia, who 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 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.
SO2110QATAR Country loses their World Cup opening game
Host nation Qatar freeze on their big night
Enner Valencia's two first-half goals led Ecuador to a dominant 2-0 victory over Qatar yesterday as the home nation froze on their big night with an error-strewn display that left them as the first 2022 World Cup hosts to lose their opening game.
Valencia, who 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 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.