FIFA 2022: Qatar Becomes The First World Cup Host To Lose Opening Match. It was an easy win for Ecuador by 2-0 against Qatar in the inaugural match of the FIFA World Cup 2022 and witnessed by more than 60,000 spectators at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor. Enner Valencia turned into a hero by getting both goals in the first half, one in the 16th minute while the other through a penalty in the 31st minute.
Supported by the home crowd, Qatar tried to find a way back into the game with all the best efforts, but a gilt-edged chance of Almoez Ali was missed. With this, Qatar becomes the first host of the FIFA World Cup to lose the opening match.
Qatar and Ecuador have faced each other thrice and the latest was in a friendly game in 2018. It was a win for Qatar with 4-3. However, Sunday’s match was their first competing meeting and Enner Valencia was announced Man of the Match.
Spanish football coach Felix Sanchez is the manager of the Qatar team while the current in charge of Ecuador is Argentine former footballer Gustavo Alfaro.
Also Read: FIFA World Cup 2022: All Teams List, Captain, And Coach
Qatar and Ecuador are in Group A along with Senegal and Netherlands. The winners will advance to the round of 16, which is to be played from December 3. The winners of Group A will play against the runners-up of Group B and the runners-up of Group A will play against the winners of Group B in the round.
Senegal vs. Netherlands – Match 2
The next match of Group A is between Senegal and Netherlands on November 21 (Monday) at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha. It is to kick off at 9:30 pm IST.
Senegal won both openers in the World Cup event. Once, the team grabbed victory by 1-0 against France in 2002 and later by 2-1 against Poland in 2018. The Netherlands emerged unbeaten in the last eight opening World Cup matches.
Al-Thumama Stadium – The Venue
Located near Hamad International Airport, the Al-Thumama Stadium is built for the World Cup. It was opened in October 2021 and has a seating capacity of 40,000. The stadium has hosted the FIFA Arab Cup 2021 tournament. It will host a total of eight matches of the ongoing World Cup including a quarter-final match on December 10.
