Enner Valencia drove Ecuador to a 2-0 victory vs Qatar in the FIFA World Cup 2022 opener at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, on Sunday, November 20. The Ecuador captain, who plays for Super Lig club Fenerbahce, was in stunning form and tortured the opposition defence with ease.
After having an early acrobatic effort disallowed due to offside, Valencia converted a penalty in the 16th-minute, followed by a headed goal in the 31st-minute. The South American country maintained the lead in the second half and prevented Qatar from gaining tempo. The win helped Ecuador go on top of Group A, which also consists of Netherlands and Senegal.
Qatar, roared on by their magnificent supporters, did their best to find a way back into the game. But the normally reliable Almoez Ali missed a gilt-edged chance – a header from six yards out – after excellent work from Hassan Alhaydos.
