This was a setback for Qatar which had been building for 12 years. The host country has spent that time constructing the foundation for a World Cup that is mired in controversy and is full of terrible memories that are unlikely to ever be forgotten, regardless of what the upcoming four weeks bring.
However, when they started this competition, locals were hoping for a spectacular performance from the painstakingly built football project, which has been running concurrently with the construction of a manicured, eerily frightening fantasy athletic area out of sand. A stronger and more seasoned Ecuadorian team dealt the toughest of truths about what life at this level looks like, leaving the national team for dead.
It was particularly humiliating for Qatar because they became the first home team to ever lose an opening match, as the maneuvers refined by Félix Sánchez’s players throughout their time together were scarcely discernible.
In reality, there was no other result that seemed likely following the third-minute incident when Enner Valencia believed his close-range header had changed the course of events. The goal was ultimately overturned by VAR for the slightest of offsides, but Qatar’s defense, particularly goalie Saad al-Sheeb, already appeared vulnerable.
Valencia, who had been fouled by Al-Sheeb, swiftly confirmed that idea when he successfully converted a penalty. After the first half, a skillfully executed header eliminated the game’s remaining advantage, and by the finish, big portions of this enormous, textured tent-like structure, located 45 minutes north of Doha, were all but empty.
Based on the fact that the promised party had not taken place, Qatar would need to play much better against Senegal on Friday to have even a remote chance of making it out of Group A.
Valencia’s penalty kick was awarded and successfully converted, at least, downplaying the controversy surrounding his disallowed opening. Al-Sheeb flailed horribly beneath a deep free-kick, allowing Félix Torres and Michael Estrada to locate Valencia with the custodian stranded, and the video officials’ overturn was marginal at best.
When it was ruled to be offside, there was a lot of shock and celebration among the maroon-clad crowd of home supporters behind the goal. When Torres headed on, Estrada’s foot might have been just beyond Al-Sheeb with only one defender back.
If the call had made the decision, Qatar might have been the beneficiary since they would have had to fend off murmurings of injustice. Nobody could claim that their nation could not produce an off-pitch show. Ecuador was a cut above in those first moments, even though Morgan Freeman had been enlisted to host the elaborate opening ceremony and declare that “football unifies nations in their love of the game.”
It was not difficult to understand the nervousness that must have come with going out for the greatly anticipated pinnacle of their nation’s footballing growth as Qatar just could not maintain possession.
Al-Sheeb, who was a little late to respond, came out to meet Valencia and clipped him in the shin not long after they fell behind. With a penalty, a caution, and no room for accusations of favoritism, Valencia exuded confidence in his ability to score, and Qatar at that point appeared exposed whenever a yellow wave came their way.
Almoez Ali, rushing back from the center forward position, was cautioned for the kick on Valencia that was enraged. After a hard effort from Moisés Caicedo in midfield, Valencia exacted a swift retaliation.
Finding space between two defenders, Valencia leaped exhilaratingly to plant Angelo Preciado’s first-time cross past Al-Sheeb. The 33-year-old former player for West Ham and Everton is still going strong.
Qatar undoubtedly had more to give. They are the Asian champions, and three years ago when they were invited to the Copa América, they did not humiliate themselves against Paraguay, Colombia, or Argentina. On this windy, unusually chilly evening, it was obvious that they had frozen; although their football was decent, Ecuador was technically and physically stronger.
Ali, who scored nine goals in that continental victory, though, deflected the final shot of the first half off-target from in front of the goal. A cleaner encounter might have finally put Qatar at ease because he had been unmarked. It may have started the competition, but it ended up being the last significant event.
The second quarter went smoothly for Ecuador, despite them occasionally losing out on good counter opportunities. Pedro Miguel, the Portuguese-born wingback who joined Ali as one of five naturalized players in the Qatar XI, threw himself excitedly at a cross but headed wide.
Romario Ibarra gave Al-Sheeb some type of redemption with a parried shot. Mohammed Muntari, a substitute, came near with a late half-volley, but all of the insights from the first night came from Ecuador.
