AFC/FIFA Enner Valencia's Brace Hands Ecuador Three Points In World Cup Opener
GoalNepal

GoalNepal - Ecuador have started their return to the World Cup in eight years with three points against hosts Qatar. La Tri defeated hosts and Asian champions Qatar 2-0 in the tournament's opening match played at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar.

Qatar, who were playing their first match at the World Cup finals had a wobbly start. Goalkeeper Saad Al Sheeb's error in the third minute of the match handed Ecuador a golden opportunity to go ahead.

Ecuador pounced on the opportunity as their captain and record goalscorer Enner Valencia put the ball in the back of the net. But the goal was ruled offside by VAR.

But it was Valencia who gave La Tri the lead 12 minutes later. Al Sheeb brought Valencia down in the box and Ecuador were handed a spot-kick dispatched with composure by the Ecuador skipper. Valencia doubled the lead in the 31st minute. Angelo Preciado's whipping delivery from the right found Valencia unmarked inside the six-yard box which was headed into the net by him.

This is the first time in history where World Cup hosts have lost the tournament's opening match.

Three matches will be played tomorrow in the tournament. In the day's first match, England will take on Iran at 6:45 PM NST. The second match of the day pits Senegal against the Netherlands at 9:45 PM. USA will round off the day facing Wales. The match will kick off at 12:45 AM, after midnight tomorrow.

 

 

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