Valencia Double Gives Ecuador Opening World Cup Victory Over Hosts Qatar

Hosts Qatar kicked off their 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign in disappointing fashion as they suffered a 2-0 defeat to Ecuador at the Al Bayt Stadium on Sunday.

Captain Enner Valencia scored a brace which was eventually enough to seal all 3 points for Ecuador, who were making a return to the tournament after an 8-year hiatus.

Ecuador are now atop Group A with 3 points and will face Senegal and Netherlands in their remaining matches.

A dramatic opening to the contest saw Enner Valencia's header from close range ruled out for offside by the video assistant referee, but the South Americans did break the deadlock shortly after.

Qatar's erratic goalkeeper Saad Al Sheeb brought Valencia down in the box and the ex-West Ham forward stepped up to convert the spot-kick.

It got worse for the hosts as Valencia powered in another header before half-time to leave the stadium silenced at the break.

With 15 minutes remaining, Ecuador were dealt a blow when Valencia was forced to hobble off, the double goal-scorer having sustained what appeared to be a knee problem during the first half.

Qatar, who are featuring in their first ever World Cup, now have an uphill task after an opening day defeat especially after being unable to get a shot on target.

South Africa have been the only hosts not to make it out of the group in 2010, but Qatar could follow as the second with two difficult games left to play.

Ecuador, meanwhile, have set themselves up in a superb position to progress, extending their excellent recent form to one defeat in 16 games and keeping a clean sheet in their last seven.

Both sides now have to play Senegal and the Netherlands in the group stage, with Qatar's chances of picking up points or qualifying looking slim on this performance.

Ecuador are dreaming of surpassing their best previous World Cup showing, when they reached the last 16 in 2006.