Qatar World Cup 2022: Heartbreak for hosts as Ecuador's Enner Valencia steals opening show with brace
By Team Newsable | First Published Nov 20, 2022, 11:42 PM ISTEnner Valencia fired Ecuador to a 2-0 victory against hosts Qatar in the opening clash of the FIFA World Cup 2022 on Sunday, sending shockwaves among Qatari nationals.
A sensational brace from Enner Valencia fired Ecuador to a 2-0 victory against hosts Qatar in the opening FIFA World Cup 2022 clash at the Al Bayt Stadium in Doha on Sunday.
⏱ Ecuador take the points in our first game at ! |
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup)After a glittering opening ceremony, the stage was set for high-octane football action, and the clash between Qatar and Ecuador kickstarted dramatically. It was immediately apparent that the FIFA World Cup 2022 opener was about to get going when the referee blew the first whistle with the countdown to kickoff only at "4".
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Enner Valencia's header into the net amid pandemonium in the goalkeeping circle appeared to have given Ecuador one of the quickest World Cup finals history goals.
From the minute the ball was pumped into the home team's penalty area, Qatar's Saad Al Sheeb was all over the place, causing confusion that ultimately led to Valencia scoring.
Valencia, who gained notoriety as a cult hero during the 2014 tournament, appeared to have continued where he left off by inciting euphoric celebrations among the South Americans.
There was a problem, though, as VAR's eyes had detected an offside and decided Valencia's goal would have to be disregarded, sparking massive confusion among football enthusiasts. The dazzling new VAR visuals that Premier League supporters may only be accustomed to in European competitions demonstrated that Michael Estrada's foot was offside.
Así el VAR a través de la tecnología del offside semiautomático anuló el gol de Enner Valencia. pic.twitter.com/LMRG7AE4mX
— Daniel Miranda (@dani_miranda96)Also read: Memefest: 'Cheers' turn jeers as Qatar bans beer sales at FIFA World Cup 2022 stadiums
Regardless, a penalty was eventually awarded as Al Sheeb's nightmare continued when he hauled down Valencia in the box just ten minutes later. The former West Ham United striker didn't want to be denied twice, so he converted the penalty kick calmly to score the tournament's opening goal in the 16th minute of the clash, which VAR was powerless to stop.
In the 31st minute, the Fenerbache forward scored his second goal of the game, sparking massive excitement among travelling Ecuador fans as they continued rejoicing through to half-time.
After the break, hosts Qatar showcased a better display, with the home fans spurring them with chants. However, they failed to convert their chances and did not trouble the scores. On the other hand, Ecuador continued their first-half momentum and pressed against a weak Qatari defence. However, the Men in Yellow could not add to Valencia's two-goal sensation before the break.
With this win, Ecuador bagged the first three points in Group A. Ecuador next faces the Netherlands, while Qatar plays against Senegal on November 25.
Enner Valencia's heroics won the hearts of football enthusiasts worldwide, with some users trolling Qatar after his sensational display. Here's a look at some of the reactions on Twitter:
"F**k, I forgot to transfer $25m to Enner Valencia." pic.twitter.com/9x2ac0bf3w
— Troll Football (@TrollFootball)Enner Valencia today: pic.twitter.com/aHvZjshadN
— 433 (@433)Qatari Government: We’re offering Ecuador a huge sum of money to lose the opening match against Qatar
Enner Valencia: pic.twitter.com/k2j1XO7srp
En esta cuenta creemos en el verdadero GOAT: Enner Valencia pic.twitter.com/LOumaZk7bT
— milo (@mufitorero)Enner Valencia after spending 50 years in a Qatar prison for scoring against them in the World Cup pic.twitter.com/wYZOj4mRVM
— Fledgling (@FPLFledgling)Congratulations to Enner Valencia on scoring more World Cup goals in 32 minutes than Wayne Rooney in 3 World Cups.
Hope this helps
Enner Valencia when his room is laced with cocaine and dildos after the game pic.twitter.com/mZWMRMZ8rr
— jamz🥷🏾 (@jamzinhoo)Man United getting ready to make a bid for Enner Valencia in January pic.twitter.com/bWrX4ppxlm
— Football Memes (@ogfootballmemes)Enner Valencia has scored Ecuador's last five (5) world cup goals 😦👏
Ecuador’s last five World Cup goals:
▪️ Valencia vs. Switzerland (2014)
▪️ Valencia vs. Honduras (2014)
▪️ Valencia vs. Honduras (2014)
▪️ Valencia vs. Qatar (2022)
▪️ Valencia vs. Qatar (2022)
🔥 pic.twitter.com/XTKl6hTEXn
Enner Valencia’s game by numbers vs. Qatar:
100% tackles won
38 touches
8/10 ground duels won
2/3 dribbles completed
2 shots on target
2 goals
1 penalty won
Scored the opening goal of the 2022 World Cup. 👏 pic.twitter.com/oWZnLY2RJe
Since debuting the World Cup, no player has scored more goals for Ecuador at the World Cup than Enner Valencia (5).
Superman 🦸♂️ pic.twitter.com/w1y3fvq6Jo
Enner Valencia when he hears a knock on his door in the middle of the night later pic.twitter.com/nYkyTy0ljI
— Ryan 🇦🇺 (@bernardooooV3)Enner Valencia when he gets a knock on his hotel room door tonight
pic.twitter.com/WzT1T47ZOy
me chasing enner valencia out of al-bayt stadium tonight pic.twitter.com/dlLZOwxr24
— م (@mariamaIthani)
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