The opening game of the FIFA World Cup 2022 saw hosts Qatar fall to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of their Group A opponents Ecuador as the South American team skipper Enner Valencia fired his team to a 2-goal lead in the first half at the Al Bayt Stadium on Sunday.
Ecuador managed to get their valuable first three points on the table as they will face tougher opponents in the future.
Ecuador started on the front foot as Valencia found the net in just the 3rd minute but the goal was ruled out for offside.
The skipper though got Ecuador's first goal of the tournament in the 16th minute after he successfully converted a penalty which was earned by him. This was the first time that the opening goal of the World Cup was scored by a spot-kick.
He then went on to double his team's lead with a brilliant-headed goal in the 31st minute and became the all-time top goal scorer for Ecuador in World Cups. His effort secured victory for La Tri.
Qatar will have to come up with a much better performance in the future if they are to take anything from the tournament considering the hosts did not have a single shot on target.