Group A : Valencia Double Sinks Qatar

 
Ecuador’s Enner Valencia was the party spoiler in the opening game of the 2022 FIFA World Cup as he struck a first half brace to sink host nation Qatar in the opening game of the 2022 FIFA World Cup yesterday night at the Al Bayt Stadium. The 33-year-old striker scored from the penalty spot after sixteen minutes before heading in a second on 31 minutes to cap a dominant display for the Ecuadorian side.
It was not written in the script but Ecuador leapt in to spoil the party for the Qatari side who failed to control their nerves in the opening moments of the game. Qatar’s blushes were spared as early as the third minute of the game when Enner Valencia’s goal was chalked off for an offside position in the building. But there was no denying Valencia 13 minutes later when he slotted past the Qatari goalkeeper from the penalty spot after he was brought down in the box. Unmarked at the far post, Valencia (31’) soon headed home the second goal to put Ecuador in cruise control and reward them for their dominant first half display. Qatar never recovered from the first half wreckage and had just a series of three bookings to show for in the first half.
Ecuador built ‘on their first half display as they kept the game wi...