Qatar vs Ecuador: Five Things We Learnt During 2022 World Cup Opener

• Ecuador ensure Qatar become the first host nation in 92-year World Cup history to lose their opening fixture
• The South Americans made light work of the hosts as they recorded a 2-0 victory on Sunday
• Here are five things Sports Brief learnt from the World Cup opening game

Enner Valencia was the star of the show as Ecuador thumped hosts Qatar 2-0 in the opening match game of the 2022 World Cup at the Al Bayt Stadium.

The ex-Everton forward netted a brace inside the first half to put La Tricolor in charge of Group A against the Asian nation after seeing a goal disallowed for offside just seconds into the match.

The 33-year-old former West Ham attacker rolled in a penalty with aplomb in the 16th minute after he was brought down in the area before powerfully heading home shortly after the half-hour mark.

2022 FIFA World Cup: Ecuador's Enner Valencia scores the first goal of the Mundial

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The victory gives Ecuador a welcome boost in their bid to qualify from a challenging group also containing Netherlands and Senegal, while Qatar will need to produce something very special in their next two games to have any chance of progressing in their home World Cup.

Here are five things we learnt from the game.

VAR at work

Ecuador found the breakthrough inside the opening minutes when Enner Valencia nodded home after a goalkeeping error from Saad Al Sheeb.

After a VAR check, however, the goal was ruled out for offside... well we were told it was offside, although replays didn't really show anything of the sort.

After a little while, a relatively conclusive CGI reply of the goal did show that an Ecuador player's kneecap was just offside.

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Enner the main man

Enner Valencia's agony soon turned to delight as he scored the first goal of the 2022 FIFA World Cup via the penalty spot.

The Ecuador captain was played through on goal by Sebas Mendez and cleverly rounded Saad Al Sheeb before he was brought down by Qatar's custodian.

The Fenerbahce forward then sent the goalkeeper the wrong way from the spot to score the maiden goal of the tournament and most importantly put Ecuador in front.

Few minutes later, he headed into the bottom corner with aplomb to make it 2-0 for Ecuador after he connected an inch-perfect cross from right-back Angelo Preciado.

Premier League's interest

In what was regarded by fans as an easy win for Ecuador, there was plenty of interest for Premier League fans.

Three players from Brighton and Hove Albion were on show in the World Cup opener, as they justified why they ply their trade in one of Europe's toughest leagues.

Two-goal hero Enner Valencia named Man of the Match as Ecuador beat Qatar in World Cup opener

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Left-back Pervis Estupinan was not tested enough due to Qatar's toothlessness in attack and will be pleased to kick off the tournament with a clean sheet.

Moises Caicedo was solid in midfield and orchestrated Ecuador's play despite picking up an early booking.

Ecuador introduced another Brighton player Jeremy Sarmiento in the second half, who was a delight to watch late in the game.

Qatar's tough task

Ecuador ensured Qatar become the first host nation in 92-year World Cup history to lose their opening fixture. That is not the only bad look on the Middle East nation, their chances of reaching the knockout stage may already be over.

They are yet to meet quality countries like Senegal and Netherlands, who are who lock horns in the next Group A game on Monday. The duo are well-fancied by many to qualify from the group.

For Ecuador to advance to the next stage, the South American country will need to be sharper and more against the Teranga Lions and the Oranje.

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Once a Ghanaian, always a Ghanaian

One of Qatar's brightest performers was Mohammed Muntari. The Ghanaian-born striker gave a good account of himself in his 20-minute cameo for the hosts.

The 28-year-old's first incursion of the game came in the 83rd minute when his lovely shot beats the roof of the post by inches. The commentator even described Muntari’s volley as “a vintage Ghanaian kind of shot.”

Muntari boasts of 13 goals for Qatar and will be expected to start in Qatar's next group games against Senegal and the Netherlands.

Born in Kumasi, Ghana, Muntari played for Nii Odartey Lamptey’s Golden Lions Academy before joining Aspire Academy.

The forward naturalized to play for Qatar and made his debut a week after his 21st birthday in 2014.

Enner Valencia scores first goal

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Ecuador talisman Enner Valencia scored the first goal of the 2022 FIFA World Cup via the penalty spot in the opening match of the competition.

World Cup: Angry Qatar fans spotted leaving the stadium early in the 2nd half against Ecuador

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Valencia had earlier broken the game's deadlock against host nation Qatar after just two minutes however his goal was ruled out for offside after a VAR review.

The ex-West Ham United frontman took advantage of a dodgy defending in the box by Qatar to head home into the yawning net.