FIFA World Cup 2022: Valencia’s brace helped Ecuador to beat hosts Qatar 2-0 within the opening match of the event at Al Bayt Stadium on Sunday, November 20.
New Delhi ,UPDATED: Nov 20, 2022 23:46 IST
Enner Valencia celebrates after scoring a aim. (AP Photo)
By Priya Nagi: Enner Valencia’s brace helped Ecuador to kick off their FIFA World Cup 2022 with a 2-0 win over the hosts Qatar on the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor on Sunday, November 20.
While Qatar grew to become simply the one third staff after Uruguay (1930) and Italy (1934) to play their first-ever World Cup match as hosts, the Middle East staff grew to become the primary host nation to lose the opening recreation within the historical past of the event.
Qatar have been outplayed by Ecuador within the first-half, which noticed Valencia scoring thrice however the first of the three was dominated out following a VAR examine. Qatar goalkeeper Saad Al Sheeb made a mistake, popping out to punch the ball however missed it and giving Ecuador a golden probability to take an early lead.
Valencia scored with a header however his staff’s celebrations short-lived because the aim was dominated offside earlier than the help to Valencia was made by Felix Torres. The replays confirmed that Ecuador’s Michael Estrada was narrowly offside when the ball was lofted into the penalty space, along with his foot simply past the final man.
The Qatari custodian’s evening become a nightmare as Ecuador opened its account off a stunning penalty within the sixteenth minute. Saad Al Sheeb introduced down Valencia, which was a transparent penalty, and the Ecuador skipper netted the ball into the bottom-right nook fantastically.
The World Cup 2022 grew to become the primary ever World Cup to see the primary aim of the event to be scored from the penalty spot. Ecuador maintained their full management over the hosts as Valencia doubled the lead within the thirty first minute with a storming header earlier than going into half-time at 2-0.
Ecuador carried their momentum within the second half, controlling the proceedings of the match and giving no room to Qatar to make a comeback.
The hosts confirmed some urgency, with Ghana-born Qatar substitute Mohammed Muntari’s half-volley narrowly over the crossbar. While Ecuador had a memorable evening, Qatar had an evening to overlook. Qatar will subsequent play Senegal, whereas Ecuador will tackle the Netherlands on November 25.
Published On:
Nov 20, 2022
