Enner Valencia is the name on the lips of all as the Ecuadorian captain starred in an easy 2-0 win for the South American, meaning Qatar becomes the first host nation to lose their first game in a FIFA World Cup finals.
Already his country’s all-time top scorer with 35 goals before kickoff, the Fenerbahçe striker thought he had made it 36 three minutes into the match, only for the VAR to deny him as the goal was ruled out for offside.
Six minutes later, he won a penalty after being brought down in the box by goalkeeper, Saad Al Sheeb and he stepped up to convert from 12 yards, sending the Goalkeeper the wrong way.
Valencia then becomes the first player, other than players of the host nation to score first in a FIFA World Cup finals, since Bouba Diop of Senegal in 2002.
At the same time, the Ecuadorian becomes the first player to score first against a single host nation of the FIFA World Cup since George Bregy of Switzerland against USMNT in US 1994.
One minute after the half hour mark, the striker was back on the score sheet again, powering a blistering header past the Qatar goalkeeper from an Angelo Preciado’s cross.
Neither of the sides was able to get a goal in the second half as Ecuadorian goalkeeper, Hernan Galindez was not forced into any save in the entirety of the match.
Enner Valencia has scored all of Ecuador’s goals in the World Cup since their return to the tournament in 2014 after missing out in 2010. He scored three in 2014 and after missing out in 2018, he has now added two more.
For Qatar, they become the first host nation to lose their first match in a FIFA World Cup in over 92 years of it’s inauguration following a shambolic performance against Ecuador in Al Bayt Stadium.
A disappointing performance from them, which has literally ended their hopes of progressing into the next round as they face Senegal in their next game and The Netherlands in their final group game.
Three points in the bag, Ecuador will fancy their chance against The Netherlands in their next game before going all out for it against Senegal in their final group game in a match touted to be decisive in the runner up battle.
Author: Kehinde Hassan Afolabi
