Enner Valencia scores twice to help Ecuador triumph over Qatar

Enner Valencia scored twice to help Ecuador emerge victorious over Qatar in the opening game of the 2022 World Cup. The match kicked off in a controversial manner, with Valencia getting a goal discarded for offside. However, the former West Ham United and Everton striker shoved that displeasure quickly aside by scoring twice more before half-time to cruise his team into an effortless win. From that point onwards, Qatar were never able to recover. Almoez Ali came close, however, he still missed a nice chance to score a goal that would have given his squad a potential chance to come back and create pressure. 

Neither team seemed particularly pressuring in the second-half, providing Ecuador with a vital three points to commence the competition. The 2022 World Cup is the first-ever edition of the contest where the opening goal was shot from the penalty spot. Enner Valencia hit from the spot in the 16th minute.