Qatar vs Ecuador LIVE: World Cup 2022 result, final score and reaction as Enner Valencia double downs hosts

Qatar 0-2 Ecuador: Valencia netted twice in the first half as the South Americans outclassed their hosts in the tournament opener

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Enner Valencia’s two first-half goals led Ecuador to a dominant 2-0 victory over Qatar as the home nation froze on their big night with an error-strewn display that left them as the first World Cup hosts to lose their opening game.

Valencia, who had already had a third-minute header ruled out by VAR for offside, slotted in the tournament’s opening goal from the penalty spot in the 16th minute after being brought down by nervous-looking goalkeeper Saad Alsheeb.

He powered home a 31st-minute header for the second and the South Americans then cruised home as an outclassed Qatar struggled to mount any meaningful attacks and had only a fluffed header by Almoez Ali to show for their limited efforts.

The other teams in Group A, Senegal and the Netherlands, meet in one of three games on Monday.

Relive the action with our live blog below.

Qatar vs Ecuador latest updates

• Ecuador beat Qatar 2-0 in the opening game of the World Cup 2022
• Enner Valencia scored twice in the first half as the South Americans outclassed their hosts
• Thousands of fans left the match at half-time and organisational difficulties marred the build-up to the World Cup opener
• 31’ - GOAL! Valencia heads home his second of the game (QAT 0-2 ECU)
• 16’ - GOAL! Valencia wins and converts a penalty for Ecuador (QAT 0-1 ECU)
• 3’ - NO GOAL! Valencia’s finish controversially ruled out by VAR (QAT 0-0 ECU)

[20 November 2022 16:19 · Michael Jones]

GOAL! Qatar 0-1 Ecuador (Valencia, 16’)⚽️

16 mins: This one will count! Ecuador’s captain slowly shuffles up to the ball and waits for the goalkeeper to make his move. Al-Sheeb leaps to the right and Valencia slots the ball to his left.

Ecuador take the lead!

[20 November 2022 16:18 · Michael Jones]

Penalty to Ecuador!

Qatar 0-0 Ecuador

15 mins: Lovely play from Ecuador sees them thread a pass up the pitch as Enner Valencia makes a splitting run in between the centre-backs.

He takes the ball into the box and is brought down by goalkeeper Saad Al-Sheeb who also goes in the book with a yellow card!

More early drama in this opening game.

[20 November 2022 16:16 · Michael Jones]

Qatar 0-0 Ecuador

14 mins: The first corner of the World Cup comes to Ecuador too. Gonzalo Plata delivers a decent cross into the middle of the box but he can’t get it over the head of central defender Boualem Khoukhi who powers a strong header out of the danger zone.

[20 November 2022 16:13 · Michael Jones]

Qatar 0-0 Ecuador

11 mins: Better from Qatar.

Ecuador win another free kick over on the left side of the pitch and Brighton’s Pervis Estupinan swings a low ball into the penalty area.

He beats one defender but Bassam Al-Rawi is aware enough to step up and boot the loose ball clear.

[20 November 2022 16:11 · Michael Jones]

Qatar 0-0 Ecuador

9 mins: There was a lot of controversy surrounding this World Cup off the pitch and it’s taken just six minutes for some controversy on the pitch.

At least Qatar are being consistent. Ecuador have stepped it up since the goal was disallowed, they’re starting to control possession inside Qatar’s half.

[20 November 2022 16:08 · Michael Jones]

GOAL! Qatar 0-1 Ecuador (Valencia, 3’)⚽️

3 mins: Three minutes! That’s all it’s taken for Ecuador to score the first goal of the World Cup. The free kick is floated into the box and Qatar goalkeeper Saad Al-Sheeb comes out to flap the ball away.

He misses it and Felix Torres shoots on the turn. He scuffs his shot into the six-yard box where Ecuador captain Enner Valencia is free to head it into the back of the net!

[20 November 2022 16:05 · Michael Jones]

Qatar 0-0 Ecuador

2 mins: Jhegson Mendez lunges into a tackle in the middle of the pitch and wins the ball away from Akram Afif leaving the Qatari forward sprawled on the deck.

Ecuador move swiftly down the pitch and are awarded a free kick for a foul on Moises Caicedo.

[20 November 2022 16:03 · Michael Jones]

Kick off: Qatar 0-0 Ecuador

And we’re off!

Qatar get the ball rolling for the 2022 World Cup and send it up the pitch with a direct ball into the Ecuador box. It’s defended easily enough but the hosts recover the loose ball.

[20 November 2022 15:56 · Michael Jones]

Qatar vs Ecuador

Here come the players. The stage is set at the Al Bayt Stadium. The fans are ready.

The national anthems are played starting with Ecuador’s. Kick off for the 2022 World Cup opener is a few minutes away...

[20 November 2022 15:52 · Michael Jones]

Qatar vs Ecuador prediction

World Cup openers have a habit of throwing up a surprise, and although Ecuador would typically be expected to beat Qatar, this is no ordinary game. The home fans can carry their team to an early victory.

Qatar 1-0 Ecuador.