QATAR – ECUADOR. The Tri offered the opening match of the 2022 World Cup by winning (2-0) against completely overwhelmed Qataris. Summary of the game.
19:15 – The summary of the match
After the party, place to football. This Sunday at 5:00 p.m., Qatar received Ecuador for the opening match of the 2022 World Cup. A meeting between the host country, automatically qualified for the competition, and the “Tricolor” which is playing its 4th World Cup. From the start of the match, Gutavo Alfaro’s men put pressure on their opponent, totally overwhelmed by the challenge of this great first in the World Cup. After a goal disallowed for offside in the 3rd minute of play, the Tri will quickly open the scoring (16th) on penalty then make the break (31st). Two goals scored by the providential striker, Enner Valencia. Totally apathetic, the selection of Al-Annabi logically has a delay of two goals at the break. Upon returning from the locker room, the expected reaction of the Garnets did not take place. For 90 minutes, Felix Sanchez Bas’s men were completely harmless to the point of not hitting any shot against the Ecuadorians. Disturbing premiere of Qatar and successful debut of the Tri which takes the lead of group A while waiting for the meeting between Senegal and the Netherlands tomorrow at 5:00 p.m.
19:07 – La Tri takes the lead in group A
One match, one victory, two goals scored and none conceded, Ecuador takes the lead in group A awaiting tomorrow’s match between Senegal and the Netherlands at 5:00 p.m.
19:05 – Complicated start for Qatar
First World Cup meeting and first defeat for Qatar. Automatically qualified for the competition as host country, the Grenats were unable to prove dangerous and took on water from the first minutes of the match. Logical defeat of the men of Felix Sanchez Bas.
19:03 – The Tri offers the opening match
Good performance from Ecuador. Gustavo Alfaro’s men won (2-0) without shaking thanks to a brace from their providential striker, Enner Valencia. Opposite, the Qataris, totally overwhelmed by the challenge of this opening match, start the competition in the worst possible way.
18:59 – End of the match at Al Bayt Stadium (0-2)!
Qatar had more control of the ball but was sorely lacking in efficiency. At the end of this duel, ball possession was certainly in their favor (55% against 45%), but it was Ecuador who managed the most shots on target (3 against 0) and above all who imposes in the end (0-2).
18:53 – Double change for Ecuador
Two new changes for Gustavo Alfaro’s men: Caicedo and Estrada are replaced by Franco and Rodriguez.
18:49 – Muntari strike!
Finally a hot action from the Qataris. Found in depth, Muntari tries a nice volley that passes just above the cage of Galindez.
18:45 – The fate of the Garnets seems sealed
The minutes pass and Qatar is still unable to be dangerous on the offensive phases. First very complicated match for the men of Felix Sanchez Bas.
18:43 – Sarniento’s strike!
Bad dismissal from the Qatari defence. The leather returns to Sarniento well placed. The young Ecuadorian opens his foot and attempts a curling strike. It goes over Al-Sheeb’s cage. There was finally offside at the start of the action.
18:41 – Afif is warned
New warning in this Qatar opener – Ecuador : Afif gets a logical card after a sole on Plata.
18:40 – Change for Ecuador
New change from Gustavo Alfaro in this match Qatar – Ecuador: Valencia, who seems affected, is replaced by Cifuentes.
18:39 – Afif tries his luck
Afif tries his luck from a distance after a good collective movement from the Garnets. It goes way over the top. Still no shot on target from Qatar in this opening match of the World Cup.
18:36 – Expected reaction from Qatar
Led to the score, the Garnets must imperatively react. In front of its public, the host country is for the moment totally apathetic. Will they be able to find the way to the nets? Not sure…
18:36 – Double change for Qatar
Two changes for Felix Sanchez Bas in this opening game Qatar – Ecuador: Alhaydos and Ali are replaced by Waad and Muntari.
18:32 – The intensity has dropped a notch
Few frank actions to put in their mouths in this second act. The Tri does not take risks and the Garnets are harmless.
18:31 – First change in this Qatar – Ecuador
First change in this opening match of the Mone Cup: Sarmiento replaces Ibarra for the Tri.
18:29 – Pedro Miguel’s head!
Good center from Abdelkarim Hassan. Pedro Miguel alone at the far post takes the lead. It passes by Galindez’s cage.
18:24 – Preciado remains on the ground
The right side of the Tri remains on the ground after a sliding tackle. The medical team enters the pitch to take care of the Ecuadorian.
18:21 – The Tri regains control of the match
After a few hard-fought minutes, the Tri put their foot on the ball again and took control of this Qatar – Ecuador opener.
18:20 – Mendez warned
New warning in this Qatar – Ecuador: Mendez logically receives a yellow card after a nasty foul on Afif.
18:18 – Ibarra’s strike!
Found on the edge of the surface, the Ecuadorian returns to his right foot and attempts a curling strike. It’s cleared by Al-Sheeb, attentive.
18:15 – A reaction from Qatar?
There is better garnet side in the first minutes of this second period. The ball is turning better and the intensity has gone up a notch.
18:13 – The beautiful statistics of Enner Valencia
Author of a double, Enner Valencia returned, even a little more in the history of Ecuadorian football. He has indeed scored each of Ecuador’s last 5 goals in the World Cup. Only Eusébio (Portugal 1966), Paolo Rossi (Italy 1982) and Oleg Salenko (Russia 1994) have done better for their country (6 times in a row each). (source: Opta).