- Qatar becomes the first host nation in FIFA World Cup history to lose opening first game.
- Qatar could become the second host nation to be eliminated at the group stage after South Africa in 2010.
- Enner Valencia becomes Ecuador’s highest goalscorer at the World cup with five goals.
- This is the second time Ecuador is involved in the World Cup opener. The first was in 2006 where they lost 2-4 to Germany.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup finally kicked off today Sunday, November 20 at the Al Bayt Stadium in Doha, with host Qatar becoming the first host nation in World Cup history to lose the opening game.
Coach Felix Sanchez’s men who were enjoying a five-game unbeaten run saw their World cup aspirations now in limbo following a 0-2 defeat to a resilient Ecuador side.
It took just 160 seconds for the South Americans to hit the first bullet through Enner Valencia but was ruled out by the Video Assistant Referee.
This didn’t stop the Ecuadorians from dominating possession as Qatar goalkeeper Al Sheeb brought down Valencia in the penalty box and the former West Ham forward stepped up to score the first goal of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
The South American nation double their lead as Valencia scored his second to give his country a two-goal lead at the interval.
The second half didn’t change the dynamics as the host continue to lick their wounds.
Qatar’s star man Almoez Ali who scored nine goals in the Asian Cup couldn’t get his side out of the dilemma as he was substituted alongside captain Hassan Al Haydos, 20 minutes to full time.
Enter Valencia netted in his third but was cancelled as Ecuador grabbed all three points to go top of Group A.
