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 17:53 · Michael Jones]

Qatar 0-2 Ecuador

88 mins: Plata delivers a corner for Ecuador but doesn’t beat the first defender, Al-Rawi, who smokes a headed clearance out of the box.

The Qatari defender has had a decent game. He’s given it his all out there.

[20 November 2022 17:50 · Michael Jones]

Qatar 0-2 Ecuador

85 mins: Ecuador create an overload with four players flying up against the final three Qatar defenders.

Sarmiento drives the ball forward and looks to play Estrada in on goal but overhits his pass into the far side of the box and the striker can’t kept the ball alive despite his best efforts.

[20 November 2022 17:47 · Michael Jones]

Qatar 0-2 Ecuador

82 mins: Close! Ecuador almost have a third as Jeremy Sarmiento gets the ball 12 yards out from goal before sidefooting a shot over the crossbar.

He collapses to the ground with his head in his hands due to the miss but the offside flag goes up which means it wouldn’t have counted anyway.

[20 November 2022 17:42 · Michael Jones]

Qatar 0-2 Ecuador

79 mins: Ecuador’s captain Enner Valencia pulls up once again and coach Gustavo Alfaro decides that enough is enough. He brings on Jose Cifuentes for the last 10-15 minutes of this World Cup opener.

Ecuador look very comfortable. As it stands they heading to the top of Group A.

[20 November 2022 17:40 · Michael Jones]

Qatar 0-2 Ecuador

76 mins: Here we go. A nice move from Qatar sees them work the ball quickly down the left wing before passing it up to Akram Afif. He rolls the ball onto his right foot and lets fly from about 25-yards.

There’s a loud roar of excitement as the ball rises over the crossbar but it’s another sign of life from Qatar.

[20 November 2022 17:38 · Michael Jones]

Qatar 0-2 Ecuador

73 mins: It’s a double substitution for Qatar now as Mohammed Muntari and Mohammed Waad replace captain Hassan Al-Haydos and Almoez Ali.

Almoez Ali had the home side’s best chance of the night in the first half but headed his effort wide. They haven’t come close to creating anything else since.

[20 November 2022 17:35 · Michael Jones]

Qatar 0-2 Ecuador

70 mins: Free kick for Ecuador. Pervis Estupinan sends the all over to the right side of the penalty area where Felix Torres attempts to keep it alive.

He’s put under pressure near the back post and can’t keep the ball in play.

[20 November 2022 17:33 · Michael Jones]

Qatar 0-2 Ecuador

67 mins: Ecuador make the first substitution of the match as Romario Ibarra is replaced with Jeremy Sarmiento. Ecuador are managing this game well, they’re maintaining possession and keeping Qatar quiet when the host do have the ball.

That two goal lead is looking like a mountain for the hosts right now.

[20 November 2022 17:29 · Michael Jones]

Qatar 0-2 Ecuador

63 mins: It is clear that a bunch of people have left the stadium. Pockets of empty seats are appearing all over the place yet there’s a small group of Qatari fans going wild.

They’re determined to enjoy themselves, it may be the only World Cup Qatar get to play in for a while.

(REUTERS)

[20 November 2022 17:26 · Michael Jones]

Qatar 0-2 Ecuador

60 mins: Angelo Preciado takes a knock and needs a breather causing Ecuador to temporarily play with 10-men.

Hassan floats a cross into the box from the left side of the pitch and Pedro Miguel comes flying in from the opposite wing to win the header.

He does so and guides his effort wide of the left-hand post.