Qatar vs Ecuador LIVE: World Cup 2022 result, final score and reaction as Enner Valencia double downs hosts
Qatar 0-2 Ecuador: Valencia netted twice in the first half as the South Americans outclassed their hosts in the tournament opener
Enner Valencia’s two first-half goals led Ecuador to a dominant 2-0 victory over Qatar as the home nation froze on their big night with an error-strewn display that left them as the first World Cup hosts to lose their opening game.
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 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 other teams in Group A, Senegal and the Netherlands, meet in one of three games on Monday.
Relive the action with our live blog below.
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Qatar 0-2 Ecuador
57 mins: There are visibly more empty seats in the stadium now as a few journalists report that many Qatar fans have left the stadium at half time.
There are still many people watching inside the stadium with the Ecuadorian contingent making a lot of noise.
Qatar 0-2 Ecuador
54 mins: Ecuador’s intensity has certainly tailed off and they are choosing their moments to attack. A loose pass from Al-Rawi is intercepted and threaded through the lines to play Ibarra in on goal.
He checks inside and moves the ball onto hs right foot before a curling effort is stopped by a leaping Saad Al-Sheeb!
Good save from the Qatar keeper.
Qatar 0-2 Ecuador
51 mins: Nearly! Ecuador has sat off a bit at the start of the second half but they win the ball high up the pitch and break through Romario Ibarra.
He carries the ball forward on the left side before darting into the penalty area. There are lots of options on for him but he underhits a back pass and Qatar boot the loose ball clear.
Qatar 0-2 Ecuador
48 mins: This is better from Qatar. They look more disciplined and more patient in possession. Bassam Al-Rawi then floats a long ball up the pitch and sends it out of play for a goal kick.
He raises his hand to the two strikers in apology.
Second half: Qatar 0-2 Ecuador
Kick off: Some of the Qatari fans have started to leave the stadium at half-time. It wasn’t tough viewing for them over those first 45 minutes.
Ecuador get the match back underway at the Al Bayt stadium.
HT Qatar 0-2 Ecuador
Enner Valencia has scored each of Ecuador’s last five goals at the FIFA World Cup - the record is held by Eusébio (Portugal 1966), Paolo Rossi (Italy 1982) and Oleg Salenko (Russia 1994) who scored six in a row of their nation.
Half-time: Qatar 0-2 Ecuador
45+5 mins: There goes the whistle to bring the first half to an end at the Al Bayt stadium. Ecuador have dominated most of the game but a late opportunity for the hosts almost brings them a goal.
Hassan Al-Haydos breezes down the right and whips a cross into the middle where Almoez Ali drifts into space. He leaps towards the ball and glances a header wide of the back post!
Ecuador take a two goal lead into the break.
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