After 45 minutes it is 0-2 in the opening game between Qatar and Ecuador. The hosts have presented themselves almost without a chance so far.
After just three minutes, the favored Ecuadorians celebrated for the first time. But Valencia’s goal was annulled by VAR due to an offside position. However, until this decision was communicated, things got a little heated – not surprising, because the offside position was not easy to spot. But the decision was correct.
Cheers erupted from the home crowd, but that didn’t wake Qatar up. On the contrary: in the 16th minute, Valencia was put down by goalie Al Sheeb. The Ecuador captain converted the penalty that was due himself. And in the 31st minute it was Valencia once more who scored with a header to make it 2-0. Then the two-goal man was knocked down, Valencia limped. But he was able to keep playing.
And so it remained at 2-0 for Ecuador. Qatar need to improve enormously if the hosts want to turn this game around.
