The much anticipated 2022 Qatar World Cup finally gets underway in a colourful and ecstatic opening ceremony on Sunday, November 20, 2022. However, the excitement didn’t last long as the host nation- Qatar was thrashed by the flying Ecuadorians.
A dreadful start from the host and they’ll be thankful that it was only 2-0. The host Nation quickly propelled the ball forward into the Ecuador box, unfortunately it was cleared and before one could say jack, Qatar picked the ball from its net following a terrible mistake by Qatar’s defense. However, the goal was disallowed for offside against the forward as he converts from Torres’ scuffed overhead kick.
Qatar was given a lifeline after the first goal was ruled out but they failed to make the most out of that opportunity as Ecuador’s persistence paid off as Ecuador was awarded a penalty. Their striker, Valencia, held his composure to slot his effort into the bottom-right corner. Al Sheeb- Qatar’s goalkeeper guesses incorrectly and it allowed Ecuador to get off the mark in the World Cup.
Not long again before the end of first half, Valencia was at the centre of attention again. Enner Valencia produced a bullet header to score his and Ecuador’s second goal. He rose to meet Angelo Preciado’s cross and made it 2-0 with a powerful header.
Almoez Ali missed Qatar’s best chance of the game before the interval, heading wide from close range. Ecuador saw out the result in the second half with ease to notch a victory and three vital points in Group A.
Ecuador was not able to add further goals in the second half, but had been rock-solid at the back. After the final whistle blew, Ecuador secured a 2-0 victory over Qatar in the first match of the 2022 World Cup at the Al Bayt Stadium.
Qatar have it all to do to avoid the ignominy of a first-round exit, while Ecuador look like a vibrant young side capable of equalling their best-ever World Cup showing– a last-16 finish at Germany 2006.
Valencia and his team-mates will hope to continue their positive start to the tournament when they take on the Netherlands on November 25 in their second match.
Qatar’s Chances of Qualifying from the Group Stage
Ecuador now have a real chance of qualifying from Group A, and Qatar looks as though their chances might be zero.
Felix Sanchez, Qatar’s Head Coach admitted beforehand that the first game was absolutely pivotal to the hosts’ hopes of progress. And they’ve lost it badly which does not bode well for their qualification chances.
They still have two games to go, of course, but they’re against dark horses Netherlands and African champions Senegal. On the evidence of what was seen on the opening night, Qatar have no chance of beating either of the two sides.
All being said, Qatar looks destined to become only the second host nation to exit at the group stage, and possibly the first to do so without winning a game. That would amount to a calamitous outcome for a nation that fought so hard to host the tournament.
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