Qatar v Ecuador 0-2: World Cup 2022 – as it happened

The long wait is finally behind us, and the first of 64 matches have ended with Ecuador triumphing 2-0 over hosts, Qatar.

In the first half, Ecuador threatened to score even more goals, but in the second half they seemed content to sit back a little, which allowed Qatar the necessary latitude to get themselves back into the contest.

While the passing between the lines did improve somewhat, it was the finishing in the final third, which ultimately proved the difference for Qatar.

How Felix Sanchez motivates his troops from here will be telling as they face stiffer opposition next in Senegal on Friday and the Netherlands on November 29.

As for Ecuador, with a vital three points in hand, they next face the Dutch on Friday before finishing their group matches against Senegal on the 29th.

It has been a pleasure to have you join us today, and we bid you farewell until the next slate of exciting matches on Monday!

We’re just getting started…#Qatar2022 | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/TeuB1C4fuK

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 20, 2022

Valencia has rocketed to the summit of the tournament’s top scorers list for now, but that is not all he will be known for going forward.

5 – Enner #Valencia has scored each of Ecuador’s last five goals at the #FIFAWorldCup – the record is held by Eusébio (Portugal 1966), Paolo Rossi (Italy 1982) and Oleg Salenko (Russia 1994) who scored six in a row of their nation. Centre. pic.twitter.com/F15hp6LOVg

— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) November 20, 2022

In the lead-up to the tournament, Caicedo was touted as a key member of the Ecuador squad, and he showed up when it mattered the most.

Moises Caicedo’s game by numbers vs. Qatar:

92% pass accuracy
54 touches
44 passes completed
2/3 ground duels won
2 interceptions

Midfield maestro. 🫡 pic.twitter.com/UQ7e4to4sA

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) November 20, 2022

In the rich footballing history of this tournament, this was the first time that the first goal of the opening match was scored from the penalty spot.

1 – The 2022 edition is the first ever World Cup tournament to see the first goal be scored from the penalty spot, courtesy of Ecuador captain Enner Valencia. Composure. pic.twitter.com/DDQ2VkinCL

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 20, 2022

Sarmiento almost left his mark on proceedings with a second-half effort.

He made his World Cup debut at 20, but who will be the other young upstarts to make their impact on the tournament?

🇪🇨 20-year-old Jeremy Sarmiento makes his World Cup Debut

Seeing young talent giving an opportunity on the biggest stage is just a beautiful thing 💚

Kudos Ecuador 🫶#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/DvPB3Bx39L

— Antonio Mango (@AntonioMango4) November 20, 2022

The unsavoury taste of this result may linger a bit longer than the hosts would like in the grand scheme of things.

1 – Qatar 🇶🇦 are the first team to lose their first game as hosts of the World Cup. Shy. #FIFAWorldCup2022 pic.twitter.com/kFmJx5cZjd

— OptaJean (@OptaJean) November 20, 2022

The referee blows the whistle to bring the first match of the World Cup to an end.

For the hosts, it wasn’t the result they were hoping for – especially as Ecuador is arguably the weakest of the three teams in their group.

For Ecuador, after a blistering first half-hour of play, they looked to hold back somewhat and tried to keep their defensive shape as Qatar increasingly looked more comfortable on the ball and dominated possession in the second half.

But Qatar did not manage a single shot on target during the game, while Ecuador converted two of their three shots on target.

Read the match report here.

Caicedo and Michael Estrada make their way off the pitch for Ecuador as Alan Franco and Kevin Rodriguez are brought on.

The fourth official has also signalled for five additional minutes of stoppage time.

Muntari almost sets Al Bayt alight as he receives a deep ball from the defender and then tries on the run to beat the keeper off his line with a volley, but the ball lands on top of the netting of the crossbar.

That would have been an unbelievable strike if it had landed.

Samiento almost leaves his mark on the World Cup as a ground pass from the advancing full-back on the left side is ricocheted off the defender and lands at his feet.

He steadies himself for a curling strike towards the right side of the net but gets far too much elevation on it.

“Really, really poor,” says Sultan, one of the guests watching the game at the majlis in Al Rayyan.

“This is a really disappointing performance. All the world leaders are there, and we’re playing like this? The manager has questions to answer. Especially as we still have two strong teams to play in Senegal and the Netherlands.”

The fans here just want to see a good chance for the Qataris. Will they get that?

Akram Afif attempts a long-distance strike from well outside the box on the left side, but the ball clears the crossbar quite comfortably.

Qatar are definitely much more composed on the ball, but their work in the final third leaves much to be desired.

And through all of that, the ailing double goalscorer Valencia, who has been the recipient of a few rough challenges, is substituted for Jose Cifuentes.

Possession may be nine-tenths of the law, but it isn’t enough to win football matches. With 15 minutes to go, here’s how the stats are looking:

Free kick won by Ecuador about 40 metres out, which Estupinan takes, but he fails to find anyone inside the box.

The ball is cleared to the touchline, and two substitutions are made by the hosts as captain Hassan Al Haydos makes way for Mohammed Waad Albayati and Mohammed Muntari comes on for Almoez.

Substitution

Our first substitution of the match is upon us as Ibarra, who had that sole chance for Ecuador earlier in the second half, makes way for Jeremy Sarmiento.

Angelo Preciado is clearly struggling out there as Ecuador may just look to make the first substitution of the match.

Looks like he is winded from an earlier challenge as he receives some treatment from the medical staff.

He is taken off to the side for now, but it looks like Ecuador will press on without the change.

First real chance at the net in the second half from Ecuador as Al Sheeb is able to parry away an attempt from Romario Ibarra.

The central attacker receives the ball just outside the box before cutting in to his right and trying to finesse the ball past the goalkeeper.

Qatar have increasingly looked more comfortable out there as the match has progressed but still seem to struggle putting together meaningful passes.

The Ecuadorians have made a few threatening runs into the box, but the centre backs have responded well so far.