Monday | November 21, 2022

The Enner Valencia brace sets Ecuador on a dream start in the 2022 FIFA (International Federation of Football Association) World Cup staged in Qatar. The Ecuadorians beat the host Gulf State 2-0 at Al Bayt Stadium on Sunday in the very first match of the 28-day biggest tournament in the world.

Ecuador attacked from the first whistle and had a goal disallowed on an offside call based on the new VAR automation signal. No sooner had the goal been ruled out had Ecuador led from a penalty spot in the 16th minute of the first half. Valencia received an incisive pass from the midfield and rounded Qatar goalkeeper Saad Al Sheeb who pulled his leg resulting in a spotkick. Then Valencia got his second 15 minutes later, heading the ball with all the might he could generate home from a cross.

The South American nation won 2-0 and topped Group A with three points. Meanwhile Senegal will take on Netherlands Monday in the same group. On Nov. 25, Ecuador will face the Netherlands and Qatar will play Senegal. And on Nov. 29 Ecuador draws Senegal and Qatar will battle it out with Netherlands. 

After the round robin in the eight groups consisting of four national teams, the top two on each group will proceed to the knock-out stage. As matters stand on Group A, Qatar needs to pull out all stops to stay in this competition. It will be significant for Qataris to at least progress to the elimination round as the host country.

Yesterday there was only one match which officially launched the most prestigious football games in sports globally. The Qatar loss on Sunday means that it is now the first country to lose an opening match since the inception of the World Cup in 1930.

Monday | Nov. 21 FIFA World Cup Fixtures

Group B: England vs Iran at Khalifa International Stadium (Doha) – 15h00

Group A: Senegal vs Netherlands at Al-Thumama Stadium (Doha) – 18h00

Group B: United States of America vs Wales at Ahmed bin Ali Stadium (Al Tayyan) – 21h00