Enner Valencia grabbed a brace as Ecuador put Qatar firmly in place in their opening match of the 2022 World Cup.
The former Everton and West Ham forward was in fine form in the first half, scoring twice as the home nation looked generally unlucky in every aspect of the game.
Ecuador found the lead in the opening minutes when Enner Valencia headed in after a goal error by Saad Al Sheeb.
However, after a VAR review, the goal was ruled out for offside…well we were told it was offside…although replays showed no such thing.
How was that offside? What happened to the SAOT?xmb #QatarWorldCup2022 #QATECU
—Mark Boschich (@TheRealBozza) November 20, 2022
The offside decision given against Qatar.
Do you agree it was offside?#CitiSports #Qatar2022 #FIFA World Cup pic.twitter.com/FYsmod7mSs
— Deportes Citi (@CitiSportsGHA) November 20, 2022
Truly surprising, there was a VAR annulment in favor of Qatar within 10 minutes.
We have a replay on the press screen of the stadium, with no queuing. It looked very iffy live.#World Cup
— Laurie Whitwell (@lauriewhitwell) November 20, 2022
The official VAR has risen to SEVEN per game for this World Cup. They canceled Ecuador’s initial “goal”. Nothing to see here. #World Cup 2022 #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/FORIblO2oH
— Des Kelly 💙 (@TheDesKelly) November 20, 2022
After some time, a relatively conclusive CGI response to the goal showed that an Ecuadorian player’s kneecap was to separate offside.
The offside launched by the VAR. pic.twitter.com/ibdL5opzhw
— ESPNFC (@ESPNFC) November 20, 2022
Valencia finally got their goal, and their first of the 2022 World Cup, from the penalty spot in the 16th minute.
After being brought down by Al Sheeb in the penalty area, the ex-West Ham and Everton man coolly slotted the ball into the bottom corner.
West Ham and Everton Twitter rejoiced.
1st goal at the World Cup of the ex @West Ham Forward Enner Valencia pic.twitter.com/7z8tOvoZSW
— Ian Abrahams (Moose) (@BroadcastMoose) November 20, 2022
“Enna Valencia, this is a name I haven’t heard in a long, long time” pic.twitter.com/9iLpPb7PhR
— Nevada West Ham (@WestHaminVegas) November 20, 2022
Everton overtake Enner Valencia scores first goal of 2022 World Cup for Ecuador pic.twitter.com/jNjtCeNO1h
— @EvertonNewsFeed November 20, 2022
While the rest of Twitter took the time to blast Al Sheeb, who by all accounts was having a nightmare start to the tournament.
Saad Al Sheeb didn’t impress me at all, it’s everywhere. The disallowed goal goes across and then concedes the penalty. His positioning and decision making was absolutely bad, a complete and utter disaster of a start by the Qatar goalkeeper.
— Josh Bunting (@Buntingfootball) November 20, 2022
Saad Al Sheeb
pic.twitter.com/IhFNOZIk03— Ciaran (@ps2startupintro) November 20, 2022
Valencia then added another goal at the World Cup, going home brilliantly and, strangely, becoming the Golden Boot favourites… at least for one day.
Enner Goat Valencia no longer surprised…
First his goal was disallowed, then he scored a penalty and scored. pic.twitter.com/RTxhmZr9O4— Feneronline (@fener10line) November 20, 2022
Valencia is a star. I knew. I knew that as soon as they announced the match between Ecuador and Qatar I said Valencia would score. pic.twitter.com/OyIHxiK7Vb
— Kae Kurd (@KaeKurd) November 20, 2022
Those Valencia golden boot odds would have been insane
—Dave (@TrapBasquiat) November 20, 2022
Although it was, in all honesty, absolutely awful, Qatar managed to create a huge stoppage-time opportunity at half-time.
That chance would fall to Almoez Ali, who failed to head a free header on goal after hitting Hassan Al Haidos’ cross from the right wing.
It took 49 minutes and 53 seconds, but in the end Qatar touched the ball in the Ecuador area.
Great chance for Almoez Ali to reduce the deficit, but he was unable to convert his header.#FIFA World Cup pic.twitter.com/kSqsPzMeU3
— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) November 20, 2022
My God. What did you do Qatar? That was The Opportunity #FIFA World Cup
— N. Sudarshan (@sudunarayan) November 20, 2022
Unfortunately for anyone who saw the game, the start to the second half was pretty terrible.
Ecuador knew they had patched up the game, while Qatar looked unable to do, well, anything.
It was not funny.
If you compare only with the hosts, Russia were much better on the pitch than Qatar.
The first match of 2018 was spectacular. Today’s game, now a bit boring.#FIFA World Cup— Football Sapien (@FootballSapien) November 20, 2022
the second half was so boring 💀
— vlahovic (@kumille_g) November 20, 2022
And that was that.
The second half was a really big non-event.
Ecuador was simply too strong for a team from Qatar who will need a small miracle to score a goal in this tournament.
