The 2022 Men’s World Cup opened with Ecuador defeating Qatar 2-0 in the opening match in Al Khor, Qatar, on SUN 20 NOV 2022. Enner VALENCIA scored both goals.

Playing in their first ever Men’s World Cup match, the hosts entered with ambitions of surprising the football world, but Qatar were themselves shocked by la Tri’s opening salvo. Just four minutes in, Valencia headed past Qatar keeper Saad ALSHEEB, only to have the goal disallowed for offside after review.

The Maroons, however, never recovered, and Ecuador did take the lead on a sixteenth minute penalty, earned after Alsheeb fouled Valencia in the area, and taken by Valencia himself. He added a second goal from a header later in the half.

In their next match in Group A, Ecuador face the Netherlands on FRI 25 NOV 2022. Qatar meet Senegal on the same day.