Doha: Ecuador won against the FIFA World Cup hosts, Qatar, in the opening match yesterday. The Latin American team won by two goals, making the hosts the first nation in history to lose an opening game. The match was held at the Al Bait Stadium in Doha, Al Khor.
With over 80% of Ecuador being Roman Catholics, the majority of team members are also Catholics.
Soon after their victory, the players came together to thank God, fell to their knees and pointed up towards the sky in prayer.
Ecuador was helped by Enner Valencia's brilliant performance as captain, who scored two goals. Valencia scored for the team in the 16th and 31st minutes of the match.
The match had a very dramatic start. Ecuador started with attacks and scored in the first minute of the match. After the pressure exerted by the Ecuador players from a free kick in their own half, Valencia scored with a beautiful shot.
The moment Qatar was shocked in front of its own crowd. But technology came to their rescue. With the introduction of artificial intelligence technology that determines offside, Valencia was found to be offside by a narrow margin. With this, the referee Daniele Orsato canceled the goal.
But the hosts' relief lasted just 12 minutes. Ecuador took a deserved lead before the match reached the 15th minute. Valencia was the scorer again.
Valencia scored this time with a penalty that was brought down by Qatar goalkeeper Al Sheeb after advancing into the box. With this goal, Valencia also became the top scorer for Ecuador in World Cup football history.
After taking the lead, Ecuador, who played aggressively, found the target exactly 15 minutes later. This time, the goal was the result of a precise team game and a beautiful finish.
After advancing through the right flank from their own half, Valencia did not make a mistake as they jumped on Angelo Preciodo's cross perpendicular to the Qatar penalty box and headed it right. The score is 2-0.
After taking a two-goal lead in the first half, Ecuador continued to attack in the second half.
But unlike the first 45 minutes, Qatar's defence line played with more determination and did not concede more goals. In the last minutes of the second half, Qatar tried to create danger in the Ecuadorian goal.
Unfortunately, they were unable to score a consolation goal due to poor finishing.
The first half was winding down when a chant came from a large section of vocal, yellow-clad Ecuador fans: “We want beer.” It was a humorous intervention two days after Qatar decided to ban beer sales at the stadiums during the World Cup. It was a late change by the conservative Islamic nation where access to alcohol is strictly limited. Only alcohol-free Bud Zero was sold at the game.
In a concern for Ecuador, Valencia — the national team’s top scorer — was substituted in the 77th minute and said after the game he had discomfort in his knee and ankle. “I hope I can be ready,” he said about the team’s next game, against the Netherlands on Friday. Ecuador coach Gustavo Alfaro was under no illusions, though, saying: “Enner, he will play.”after their victory, the players came together to thank God, fell to their knees and pointed up towards the sky in prayer.