Ecuador beat hosts Qatar at the Al Bayt Stadium in the opening match of the 2022 World Cup.
Enner Valencia was the hero as 60,000 fans witnessed a host nation lose the opening game for the first time in history.
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The Fenerbahce star thought he had given his country an early lead after he poked the ball in the third minute. However, after Video Assistant Referee (VAR) and the semi-automated offside technology checks, it was chalked off for offside in the build-up.
Qatar goalkeeper Saad Abdullah Al Sheeb then brought down Valencia in the box to concede a penalty. Valencia, who captained his country, scored from the spot-kick to give Ecuador the lead.
His penalty is the first in a World Cup opener since 2014, when Neymar scored a penalty for Brazil against Croatia.
The match was more of Ecuador, with Qatar reduced to panic clearances and short passes.
Enner Valencia was on the scoresheet again when he put a beautiful header past Al Sheeb in the 31st minute after Angelo Preciado’s cross.
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Qatar, however, improved in the second half but could not find a way through.
Their closes chance fell to substitute Mohammed Muntari in the 85th minute. He had received a pass and tried to catch Hernan Ismael Galindez off his line, but his attempt went over.
Akram Afif also had a chance to shoot, but his attempt was wide off-target.
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Ecuador are top of the group, while Qatar are bottom, pending the game between Senegal and the Netherlands on Monday.
