Qatar grew to become the primary dwelling staff to lose their opening World Cup match as Ecuador cruised to a 2-0 victory over the hosts, with Enner Valencia scoring twice within the event curtain-raiser on Sunday. Asian champions Qatar loved the backing of the vast majority of the gang on the 60,000-capacity Al Bayt Stadium, however couldn’t observe a glitzy opening ceremony with a press release efficiency. Ecuador thought they’d made a dream begin after they silenced the house followers as Valencia headed in, just for the purpose to be dominated out by VAR for an offside within the build-up.

Valencia did break the impasse with a penalty within the sixteenth minute and doubled his tally simply after the half-hour mark.

Qatar improved barely within the second interval, however by the top of the 90 minutes, the joy which greeted the build-up — that includes Morgan Freeman and BTS star Jung Kook — was a distant reminiscence as hundreds of followers left early amid a deflated environment.

Felix Sanchez’s Qatar will probably want a optimistic consequence of their second Group A match in opposition to Senegal on Friday simply to keep away from the ignominy of changing into solely the second hosts, after South Africa in 2010, to be dumped out within the first spherical.

Hopes had been excessive among the many crowd that Qatar might make a profitable begin, however the deficiencies of the World Cup debutants had been ruthlessly uncovered by a powerful Ecuador.

Sponsored by Vuukle

Qatar didn’t even muster a shot on the right track within the recreation, with spectators submitting out of the stands lengthy earlier than the ultimate whistle.

In the 92-year historical past of the event, dwelling international locations had beforehand gained 16 and drawn six of their opening matches.

– Early VAR intervention –
The South Americans had the ball within the internet inside three minutes when captain Valencia nodded dwelling from Felix Torres’ miscued overhead kick.

VAR officers noticed an offside in opposition to Michael Estrada within the build-up after Torres challenged for the ball with Qatar goalkeeper Saad Al Sheeb.

Ecuador had been fully dominant within the early exchanges, although, and had been awarded a penalty after Valencia was tripped by Al Sheeb when by way of on purpose.

The former West Ham ahead coolly despatched Al Sheeb the improper means from the spot and stroked the ball into the underside nook to attain his thirty sixth worldwide purpose.

Ecuador didn’t have to attend lengthy to double their benefit as, after a surging run from Moises Caicedo, right-back Angelo Preciado swung in a cross which Valencia met with a thumping header.

Even the small part of noticeably enthusiastic Qatari followers located behind the purpose, who arrived collectively after the vast majority of the gang and wore matching t-shirts, briefly fell silent.

Almoez Ali, the hero of Qatar’s 2019 Asian Cup success, ought to have pulled one again on the stroke of half-time however might solely steer a free header large from eight yards out.

Ecuador allowed Qatar extra of the ball after the break however nonetheless seemed the extra harmful aspect, with Romario Ibarra bringing a diving save from Al Sheeb.

Valencia hobbled off within the 77th minute after being on the improper finish of a sequence of heavy challenges, though that will solely have taken a number of the shine off a well-known night time for Ecuador.

By the time an official attendance of 67,372 was learn out over the tannoy, the stadium was barely half full.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

Featured Video Of The Day

FIFA Spokesman Defends Gianni Infantino Over LGBTQ Rights On Eve Of World Cup