Ecuador defeats Qatar in the opening match of the 2022 World Cup.

Brazil Agency - Ecuador beat Qatar 2-0 on Sunday afternoon (20), Brasília time. The match marked the opening of the 2022 World Cup and was played at the Al Bayt stadium in Al Khor, approximately 35 kilometers north of Doha.

Both of the team's goals were scored by striker Enner Valencia. The first came in the 15th minute of the first half from a penalty kick. The forward beat goalkeeper Al-Sheeb with a right-footed shot into the left corner. The score was sealed in the 30th minute of the first half. From the right, Torres crossed for Valencia's head. The striker headed the ball down and past the Qatari goalkeeper.

Before that, just two minutes into the game, Valencia had already found the net. But the goal was ruled offside, confirmed by referee Daniele Orsato after assistance from VAR Massimiliano Irrati. The detail is that, still in the first half, Valencia injured his right knee and remained on the field in poor physical condition until the 30th minute of the second half, when he was replaced by midfielder Cifuentes.

In the second half, the pace of the game dropped; the Ecuadorians controlled the match and the Arabs lacked the strength to change the score. With this victory, Ecuador leads Group A of the World Cup with 3 points. The opening round of the group will be completed this Monday (21) with the game between Senegal and the Netherlands, starting at 13 pm, in Al Thumama, in the city of Doha.

In addition to this match, the World Cup will also feature two other games tomorrow. In Group B, England and Iran face off at 10 a.m. at Khalifa International Stadium, and the United States will face Wales at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium at 16 p.m. Ecuador returns to the field on Friday (25) to face the Netherlands at Khalifa International Stadium at 13 p.m. Qatar will play its second match on the same day at 10 a.m. against Senegal.

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