The 2022 Qatar World Cup kicked off on the 20th of November with the first fixture as hosts Qatar played against Ecuador at the Al Bayt Stadium at 7 PM
Ecuador was awarded a penalty after a foul from goalkeeper Saad Al-Sheeb on Valencia in the penalty area in the 16th minute, he converted from the spot making it 1-0.
With one minute past half an hour mark, Valencia scored the second goal with a header off Angelo Preciado’s long cross.
Alfaro,s boys kept the temple high as they tried many chances but couldn’t find the 3rd goal. The Center referee sent teams for a half-time break.
In the second half, the visitors started on a high but failed to break the deadlock of Ecuador’s defense.
With 7 minutes past an hour mark, Ecuador makes the first substitute bringing sameirto to replace Ibarra.
With 20 minutes to full time, Qatar made a double substitution of Mohammed Waad and Mohammed Muntari replacing Almoez Ali and Hassan Al-Haydos
In the 75th minute, the two-goal scorer in Valencia was forced to a substitution after an injury and was replaced by Jose Cifuentes.
Enner Valencia was voted man of the match after his brace that earned Ecuador the first win of the tournament.
Qatar becomes the first host nation to lose an opening game in the World Cup.
Results.
Qatar 0-2 Ecuador
Starting XI
Qatar
Saad Al-Sheeb(Gk), Hasan Al-Haydos, Abdulaziz Hatem, Karim Boudiaf, Boualem Khoukhi, Abdelkarim Hassan, Pedro Miguel, Almoez Ali, Akram Afif, Bassam Al-Rawi, Homam Ahmed
Ecuador
Hernán Galíndez(GK), Enner Valencia, Romario Ibarra, Michael Estrada, Jhegson Méndez, Pervis Estupiñán, Angelo Preciado, Félix Torres, Gonzalo Plata, Moses Caicedo, Piero Hincapìè
The World Cup continues tomorrow the 21st of November 2022
Fixtures
England Vs Iran 4 PM
Senegal Vs Netherlands 7 PM
United States Vs Wales 10 PM
