Qatar 0-2 Ecuador: Three things we learned
The 2022 World Cup final in Qatar kicked off on Sunday night with the host nation taking on South American Ecuador in Al Bayt.
It was supposed to be a tough match, with the home team of Qatar preparing for the game and the tournament for months.
The Qataris have a reputation for playing good football and passing, and given that they were the home team, they had to score at least one point in the encounter.
However, it was Ecuador who won the Qatar World Cup opener 2-0 with ease.
Enner Valencia scored both goals for the South American side.
The former West Ham United striker scored in the 16th minute from the penalty spot.
Qatar goalkeeper Saad Al Sheeb knocked Valencia down in the box, and the 33-year-old himself stepped up and managed to convert the free kick.
It was Valencia who scored Ecuador's second goal in the 31st minute when he kicked in a header.
Valencia had in fact scored in the first minutes of the match with a header from close range, but the goal was ruled out for offside by the video assistant referee.
The striker is now rated 20/1 on Betfair to finish top scorer in the World Cup and win the FIFA Golden Boot.
Here's what we learned from the match:
Qatar fans not passionateWhile there was clearly a zeal for the game during the opening ceremony and in the first half of the game, the Qatar fans deserted their squad early in the second half . The stadium had plenty of empty seats on the hour mark. Qatar trailed Ecuador 2-0 at half-time, and the fans clearly believed the team was not going to come back. It was Qatar's first-ever game at a World Cup, and the way the home side's fans left the stadium with over 30 minutes on the clock pretty much sums up the passion they really have for the game. None.
Ecuador could be dangerousYes, there was only Qatar, but the way Ecuador played and won the opening match of the 2022 World Cup was brilliant, and that sent a message clear to the rest of the teams in the group. The South American team was efficient, physical, solid, strong and good looking. The Netherlands are the clear favorites in Group A, but Ecuador showed against Qatar that they can beat second-placed Senegal.
Qatar should be afraid against Senegal and the NetherlandsThe Netherlands are among the best players in the world and Senegal are the best team in Africa. If Qatar couldn't even score against Ecuador, what chances do they have against the Dutch and the Senegalese? Based on their performance against Ecuador on Sunday, there's a very good chance they'll end up conceding five or six more goals in the group stage and retire without scoring.
The 2022 World Cup final in Qatar kicked off on Sunday night with the host nation taking on South American Ecuador in Al Bayt.
It was supposed to be a tough match, with the home team of Qatar preparing for the game and the tournament for months.
The Qataris have a reputation for playing good football and passing, and given that they were the home team, they had to score at least one point in the encounter.
However, it was Ecuador who won the Qatar World Cup opener 2-0 with ease.
Enner Valencia scored both goals for the South American side.
The former West Ham United striker scored in the 16th minute from the penalty spot.
Qatar goalkeeper Saad Al Sheeb knocked Valencia down in the box, and the 33-year-old himself stepped up and managed to convert the free kick.
It was Valencia who scored Ecuador's second goal in the 31st minute when he kicked in a header.
Valencia had in fact scored in the first minutes of the match with a header from close range, but the goal was ruled out for offside by the video assistant referee.
The striker is now rated 20/1 on Betfair to finish top scorer in the World Cup and win the FIFA Golden Boot.
Here's what we learned from the match:
Qatar fans not passionateWhile there was clearly a zeal for the game during the opening ceremony and in the first half of the game, the Qatar fans deserted their squad early in the second half . The stadium had plenty of empty seats on the hour mark. Qatar trailed Ecuador 2-0 at half-time, and the fans clearly believed the team was not going to come back. It was Qatar's first-ever game at a World Cup, and the way the home side's fans left the stadium with over 30 minutes on the clock pretty much sums up the passion they really have for the game. None.
Ecuador could be dangerousYes, there was only Qatar, but the way Ecuador played and won the opening match of the 2022 World Cup was brilliant, and that sent a message clear to the rest of the teams in the group. The South American team was efficient, physical, solid, strong and good looking. The Netherlands are the clear favorites in Group A, but Ecuador showed against Qatar that they can beat second-placed Senegal.
Qatar should be afraid against Senegal and the NetherlandsThe Netherlands are among the best players in the world and Senegal are the best team in Africa. If Qatar couldn't even score against Ecuador, what chances do they have against the Dutch and the Senegalese? Based on their performance against Ecuador on Sunday, there's a very good chance they'll end up conceding five or six more goals in the group stage and retire without scoring.
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