Ecuador’s Pervis Estupinan and Hegson Mendez reflect after winning the opening game of the World Cup in Qatar Photo: dpa/picture-alliance
From BZ/dpa
Qatar opens the controversial World Cup with a big show. The host has some catching up to do on the pitch. However, the first three championship points go to Ecuador.
Qatar was the first World Cup host to start the tournament with a defeat.
Coach Felix Sanchez’s team lost the opening match of the World Cup against Ecuador 0-2 (0-2) on Sunday evening. The decisive player in front of 67,372 spectators in the Al-Bait Stadium north of Doha was Ecuador’s striker Enner Valencia, who secured the victory for the South Americans with a brace (16th minute / penalty kick / 31st).
A first goal by the 33-year-old was withdrawn after video evidence because of an offside position (3rd). Qatar’s national team disappointed in its World Cup debut in front of the head of state Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and was largely without a chance.