World cup 2022 opener's hero, Enner Valencia, celebrates one of his goals
Eko Hot Blog reports that Qatar have become the first host nation to lose their opening game in the 92-year history of the World Cup.
The hosts set the unwanted record after Ecuador beat them 2-0 on Sunday evening.
Qatar never really got going from the start of the match as they conceded a bad goal from Ecuador’s captain Enner Valencia.
But the hosts were relieved to see the goal ruled out for a tight offside call.
However, their luck soon ran out as Valencia would not be denied a goal a second time.
The Qatari goalkeeper brought down the Ecuador captain in the box after he ran through the hosts’ porous defence.
Valencia made no mistake from the spot as he put Ecuador in front.
Before half-time, the Ecuadorian captain bagged a brace and his country’s second of the match with a wonderful header.
Although Ecuador did not add to their tally for the rest of the match, their two-goal cushion was enough to see off a toothless Qatar that never showed the signs of a team that trained together for six months.
The match witnessed only 11 shots, including five for Qatar and six for Ecuador. No World Cup match on record (since 1966) has seen fewer attempts.
The hosts return to action on Friday against African champions Senegal before facing Netherlands in the final group match.
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