Qatar opens big, loses big at FIFA 2022 opening
DOHA – Qatar became the first home team to lose their opening World Cup match as Ecuador secured a 2-0 victory over the hosts, with Enner Valencia scoring twice in the tournament curtain-raiser on Sunday.
Asian champions Qatar enjoyed the backing of the majority of the crowd at the 60,000-capacity Al Bayt Stadium, but could not follow a glitzy opening ceremony with a statement performance.
Ecuador thought they had made a dream start when they silenced the home fans as Valencia headed in, only for the goal to be ruled out by VAR for an offside in the build-up.
Valencia did break the deadlock with a penalty in the 16th minute and doubled his tally just after the half-hour mark.
Felix Sanchez’s Qatar will likely need a positive result in their second Group A match against Senegal on Friday just to avoid the ignominy of becoming only the second hosts, after South Africa in 2010, to exit in the first round.
In the 92-year history of the tournament, home countries had previously won 16 and drawn six of their opening matches.
Ecuador were dominant in the early exchanges, though, and were awarded a penalty after Valencia was tripped by Al Sheeb when through on goal.
In the 92-year history of the #FIFAWorldCup, Qatar become the FIRST host country to lose their opening game 😱#Qatar2022onMG pic.twitter.com/YeVk7eZfW4
— #3Sports (@3SportsGh) November 20, 2022
Qatar are the first hosts in the history of the World Cup to lose the opening match ❌ #No African pic.twitter.com/4ksursTQoE
— Andy Addai (@andy_addai8) November 20, 2022
Qatar is basically that kid who’s not good at football but got to play cause he owns the ball.
— Janty (@CFC_Jantyy) November 20, 2022