The opening of the World Cup has become a one-team match. This Sunday (20), Ecuador easily beat Qatar by 2-0, at the Al Bayt stadium, in Al Khor. The game marked the beginning of the first World Cup held in the Middle East.
Four years ago, the tournament in Russia began with a 5-0 thrashing of the hosts over Saudi Arabia. The tradition of the competition was that the opening match involved the previous champion. That changed in 2006, when Germany beat Costa Rica 4-2. The winner of the previous World Cup had been Brazil.
Best for Enner Valencia, 33, who put his name in history. He reached five goals in Cups and became the highest Ecuadorian scorer in the competition. He is a holdover from the team eliminated in the group stage in 2014 — the team failed to qualify for 2018.
Celebrating goals at the 2022 World Cup is quite a change for the striker who, six years ago, during the Qualifiers, starred in one of the most unusual scenes ever seen in national team football. In a match against Chile, he simulated an injury to be taken out on a stretcher and not end up arrested for non-payment of alimony. He was taken to the locker room pursued by officials.
Valencia would later complain about his ex-wife’s behavior and claim that the lawsuit was retaliation for having asked for custody of their daughter. It seemed then that his career with Ecuador’s shirt was over. But at the opening of the Qatar Cup he was the star on the field.
He could have scored more goals, if the VAR, operated by eight people (including those in charge of the system, assistants and reserves) had not signaled offside in the two minutes, when the top scorer headed in after goalkeeper Al-Sheeb’s mistake. Italian referee Daniele Orsato confirmed the video team’s controversial call.
The controversy didn’t hurt Ecuador because of Qatar’s fragility. The home team created only one opportunity, at the end of the first half, Almoez Ali’s header outside. The game was so calm for the South Americans that their fans started to cheer even before the break.
Even part of Qatar’s supporters gave up on the team in the final stage. Empty seats increased after the break, especially in the low center seats, the most expensive. The sector that most sang for the Arabs, behind one of the goals, lost almost half the number of fans between one time and another.
If Qatar, as disclosed, had a plan to assemble a strong team to compete in the 2022 World Cup, it failed. Their main player, striker Akram Afif, barely appeared during the 90 minutes. On the edge of the pitch, Spanish coach Félix Sánchez didn’t know what to do. Ecuador even gave the ball to the rival, waiting for the chance to counterattack, but this did not come because the Qataris could not exchange passes or combine offensive plays.
It was so easy that the Ecuadorians accommodated themselves. If they forced the game, they could have scored more goals.
The result meant an unprecedented brand. No host country had ever lost in their World Cup debut. It is the team’s first participation in the tournament, classified only by the automatic vacancy given to the host country.
But at least it served to redeem Valencia in World Cup games after almost being arrested in 2016. Substituted 15 minutes from time, he limped away and was also applauded by some opposing fans.
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