UK: 18+ USA: 21+ | Begambleaware.org | T&Cs apply | Play Responsibly
0
2
Valencia 16' (P), 31'
Venue: Al Bayt Stadium
- Ecuador captain Enner Valencia opens the scoring from the penalty spot, adding a header shortly after
- A tough introduction to the World Cup for hosts Qatar, who failed to have a shot on target
- Qatar received an unusually high number of penalties in their warm-up matches, according to reports
- England get their 2022 World Cup underway against Iran tomorrow
What’s next?
The opening round of Group A fixtures concludes tomorrow as Senegal meet the Netherlands at 16:00 GMT.
Qatar’s next match is against Senegal on Friday, with Ecuador taking on the Netherlands on the same day.
Ecuador are the first team in the World Cup's 92-year history to beat the hosts in their opening game of the tournament. 😤#ECU #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/y4nxbPOcXE
— Squawka (@Squawka) November 20, 2022
FULL-TIME
Qatar 0-2 Ecuador
It was a tough introduction to the World Cup for Qatar, who were simply outclassed physically and tactically this evening.
Ecuador extend their national record of shutouts at the back, with this result meaning they now have seven consecutive clean sheets.
The South Americans dominated the first 45 minutes with two goals from captain Enner Valencia, with Qatar becoming the first host nation to lose their opening game of a World Cup.
90′ Substitution – Two more changes for Ecuador as Moises Caicedo and Michael Estrada make way for Kevin Rodriquez and Alan Franco.
85′ Substitute Mohammed Muntari makes a super run in behind the Ecuador defence before unleashing a fierce volley towards goal, but the striker just puts a little bit too much on it as it flies narrowly over the crossbar.
A first-class display from Ecuador captain Enner Valencia, who is sitting on the bench with plenty of ice wrapped around that injured knee.
Enner Valencia’s game by numbers vs. Qatar:
100% tackles won
38 touches
8/10 ground duels won
2/3 dribbles completed
2 shots on target
2 goals
1 penalty wonScored the opening goal of the 2022 World Cup. 👏 pic.twitter.com/oWZnLY2RJe
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) November 20, 2022
A brilliant display 👏@LaTri | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/ASA9MkfeTj
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 20, 2022
77′ Substitution – Enner Valencia’s game is over as the former West Ham and Everton man limps off the pitch. The double-goalscoring hero is replaced by Jose Cifuentes.
Not long after, Akram Afif picks up Qatar’s fourth yellow card of the match.
75′ Akram Afif lines up a shot from well out, but his effort flies over the crossbar. No worries whatsoever for Hernán Galíndez in the Ecuador goal. He’s had a pretty relaxing game, with Qatar yet to have a shot on goal.
71′ Substitution – And it’s also some fresh legs for the hosts. A double change sees captain Hassan Alhaydos and Almoez Ali replaced by Mohammed Muntari and Mohammed Waad.
68′ Substitution – A third Brighton player enters the fray as winger Jeremy Sarmiento replaces Romario Ibarra for Ecuador. It’s Sarmiento’s 10th cap for his country.
Where has everyone gone?
We're almost 15 minutes into the second half and there are huge banks of empty seats now inside the Al Bayt Stadium. #BBCWorldCup #BBCFootball #FifaWorldCup pic.twitter.com/lXnbAkd4e5
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) November 20, 2022
55′ A moment of redemption for Qatar goalkeeper Saad Al Sheeb as he dives to his left to save a dangerous effort from Romario Ibarra. Moments later, Ecuador’s Jhegson Mendez goes into the book for a nasty enough challenge on Akram Afif.
⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽
Enner Valencia has scored the last five #FIFAWorldCup goals for Ecuador. #ECU pic.twitter.com/uVK8qDr4FW
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) November 20, 2022
Definitely a much quieter opening to the second half than the first, so here’s a reminder that Gareth Southgate’s England get their 2022 World Cup underway tomorrow afternoon against Iran.
The Three Lions have plenty of talented players in their squad, and one pundit has backed West Ham’s Declan Rice to shine for his nation over the coming weeks.
KICK-OFF
Qatar 0-2 Ecuador
We’re back underway, and it’s good news for Ecuador as Enner Valencia looks set to continue.
Vamos 🇪🇨
A joyous first 45 minutes for these Ecuador supporters.
🥰 ¡Juntos, somos más fuertes!
🔥 ¡Vamos #LaTri! pic.twitter.com/lKBr8VWBPo
— FEF 🇪🇨 (@FEFecuador) November 20, 2022
HALF-TIME
Qatar 0-2 Ecuador
Enner Valencia’s brace separates the sides in this frenetic opening to the 2022 World Cup. A poor showing from Qatar, who will have to up their game big time if they are to have any hope of getting something here.
45+5′ In the very last minute of injury time, Qatar could and perhaps should have halved the deficit. Almoez Ali with a superb chance to get the hosts up and running, but his header from just inside the six-yard box glances wide of the post.
His header was Qatar’s only touch inside the Ecuador box so far…
44′ Ohhh… that looked sore. Having taken his time to recover from that previous challenge, Enner Valencia is now back on the ground after injuring his knee. The skipper is currently receiving treatment from Ecuador’s medical staff.
Enner Valencia’s current club Fenerbahce are certainly enjoying this opening half an hour…
😎 @EnnerValencia14 #QatarWorldCup2022 pic.twitter.com/zIBZtnsf2y
— Fenerbahçe SK (@Fenerbahce) November 20, 2022
36′ Yellow card – Karim Boudiaf
A third yellow card for the hosts as Karim Boudiaf recklessly flies into Enner Valencia. Plenty of frustration here from Qatar.
The captain gets his second of the game! A dangerous delivery from Angelo Preciado is met by the head of Valencia, who glances the ball into the bottom corner of the net.
What a start from Ecuador and their leader. An early contender for the Golden Boot?
31′ GOAL! Qatar 0-2 Ecuador
Enner Valencia
29′ Yellow card – Moises Caicedo
The third yellow of the game goes to Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo for a late challenge. Could we see a red in this one?
22′ Yellow card – Almoez Ali
Just when things had calmed down slightly, Qatar striker Almoez Ali gets a booking for a poor challenge on Enner Valencia.
Ice cool…
Composed 😎🇪🇨#Qatar2022 | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/d1pBPGmePJ
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 20, 2022
Valencia gets his goal, and this one won’t be ruled out. Qatar goalkeeper Saad Al Sheeb is already having a match to forget. He brings down the Ecuador captain in the box, with the striker brushing himself off to slot the penalty home very cooly.
A nightmare start for the hosts’ goalkeeper, who has been handed a yellow card for his troubles.
16′ GOAL! Qatar 0-1 Ecuador
Enner Valencia
15′ PENALTY TO ECUADOR!
As shown by the cameras, the Enner Valencia header has been ruled out for an offside in the buildup. But what a mess it was from Qatar goalkeeper Saad Al Sheeb, who will undoubtedly now be targeted by the Ecuador players from set pieces.
At 160 seconds, that would have been the fastest goal EVER in a World Cup…
NO GOAL!
Qatar 0-0 Ecuador
Ecuador captain Enner Valencia thought his header had the South Americans 1-0 up, but it’s taken just three minutes for VAR to have their say in the competition.
The officials have ruled this one out, but there seems to be some confusion as to why. Offside? A high boot?
3′ GOAL! Qatar 0-1 Ecuador
Enner Valencia
Ready to go!
The national anthems are over, the handshakes have been done, the countdown is over, here we go!
We’re now just 10 minutes away from kick-off, but what kind of game can we expect today?
Form of course often goes out the window in major tournaments, but Ecuador look set to keep things tight at the back. They’ve kept a clean sheet in all of their last six matches.
Qatar meanwhile are without a win in their last four games, but that home crowd may just help drive them over the line against the South Americans.
Footballing royalty is in the house
🏆#Qatar2022 | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/M12SGs8tXp
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 20, 2022
And here is your Qatar side…
Here are our heroes who will line up for #AlAnnabi in tonight’s #FIFAWorldCup opening game against Ecuador 💪 #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/wTFfOOBU2F
— Qatar Football Association (@QFA_EN) November 20, 2022
The Ecuador team is here…
Ecuador has confirmed its starting XI and substitutes for this opener, with the team being led by former West Ham and Everton striker Enner Valencia.
Brighton duo Pervis Estupiñán and Moisés Caicedo are also included from the start, with their club teammate Jeremy Sarmiento on the bench.
🔥 ¡Alineación de #LaTri!
🆚 Qatar
🏟 Estadio Al Bayt
🗓 Fecha # 1
🕚 11h00 (ECU)
🏆 #FIFAWorldCup #HaremosHistoria🇪🇨 pic.twitter.com/8cJexKoaQz— La Tri 🇪🇨 (@LaTri) November 20, 2022
The World Cup 2022 is about to get underway, following a spectacular opening ceremony at the Al Bayt Stadium. We’ll be providing live updates throughout the afternoon’s proceedings, so stay tuned.
Contents
Qatar Vs Ecuador Match preview, lineups and betting odds
Hosts Qatar are taking part in the World Cup for the first ever time, and start as slight outsiders against Ecuador. The current betting odds are as follows, courtesy of Ladbrokes:
- Qatar: 9/4
- Draw: 2/1
- Ecuador: 11/8
Like those odds? Open an account with our partners Ladbrokes and avail of the welcome offer while you’re at it!
Place the bet with Ladbrokes >>2022 World Cup finally arrives… a day early
The World Cup is finally with us… but only just. The opening game of the tournament was due to see Senegal take on the Netherlands tomorrow, but back in August FIFA agreed to have hosts Qatar kick things off today… finally something we can thank the governing body for!
About Al Bayt Stadium
Now let’s see what all the fuss is about… Al Bayt Stadium plays host to this highly-anticipated 2022 World Cup opener. The venue has a capacity of 60,000 and is located in Al Khor City, 35km north of Doha. Here’s what the hosts say about it:
Al Bayt Stadium’s role as host for the FIFA World Cup 2022 Opening Match was assured from its first design sketch. Qatar turned to the rich fabric of its culture to welcome the world – inviting guests to enjoy the traditional comfort custom has demanded in this region for centuries.
Qatar and Ecuador World Cup history
Hosts Qatar are participating in their very first World Cup, while this is the fourth appearance for Ecuador at the major tournament, with their first coming 20 years ago in 2002.
Ecuador couldn’t get past the group stages in South Korea and Japan back then, and suffered the same fate in Brazil in 2014, with their best performance coming in Germany in 2006 when they reached the Round of 16. A 60th-minute free-kick from a certain Mr David Beckham saw England send the South Americans home that day.
The road to the 2022 World Cup
Qatar have qualified for the tournament as hosts, but how about their opponents today?
The big guns of South America Brazil and Argentina finished in first and second place respectively in CONMEBOL qualifying, with Uruguay clinching third.
And completing automatic qualification was Ecuador, who finished in fourth spot with 26 points. They won seven of their 18 matches, drawing five and losing six
What do the FIFA world rankings say?
World rankings don’t mean everything of course, but Ecuador currently sit 44th in the FIFA Men’s World Rankings, with Qatar sitting in 50th place. Not much in it between these two sides.
Subscribe to Punditfeed on Google News for all the latest updates from the world of sports!