Qatar 0-2 Ecuador LIVE! World Cup 2022 result, match stream, latest reaction and updates today

Qatar vs Ecuador - LIVE!

Ecuador eased past World Cup debutants Qatar 2-0 with two goals from veteran striker Enner Valencia in a first opening game defeat for a host nation in the tournament’s history. Ecuador’s all-time top scorer scored an early penalty and added a well-taken 31st-minute header to give the South Americans a commanding first-half lead as the Qataris looked overcome by the enormity of the occasion.

It could have been even worse for the hosts in front of a 67,372 crowd at the tent-shaped Al Bayt stadium had Valencia, 33, not had a third minute header disallowed for a marginal offside after goalkeeper Saad Alsheeb had flapped at the ball. It was Alsheeb who later tripped Valencia when he was through on goal and then dived the wrong way as the Ecuadorean coolly dispatched the resulting penalty in the 16th minute.

For his second, Valencia was unmarked but still showed great technique to stoop and take Angelo Preciado’s cross almost from behind him to head past Alsheeb again. That goal killed the Group A game as a contest and the second half was played at a slow pace, with the stands rapidly emptying.

Qatar vs Ecuador latest news

• GOAL! Valencia doubles lead with header

• GOAL! Valencia rolls in penalty

• NO GOAL! VAR ruled out Valencia header

• Qatar team news

• Ecuador team news

Qatar 0 - 2 Ecuador

Qatar get stage fright on opening night

22:06 , Matt Verri

In the build-up to this tournament, it became quite apparent that Qatar would much prefer if a little more of the focus was on the football. On this evidence, the host nation might want to re-think.

On the opening night of their World Cup, Felix Sanchez’s side were outclassed by Ecuador and Enner Valencia, and are already on course for an exit almost as swift as that made by the thousands who packed it in after 45 minutes here.

With their side two goals down at break, hoards of locals did not bother returning for the second half, the Qatari peoples’ brief and not especially passionate infatuation with the beautiful game apparently on the wane before this World Cup has even reached its originally intended start date.

Read our full analysis here

Some very happy Ecuador fans!

20:34 , Matt Verri

Why Ecuador goal was disallowed

20:18 , Matt Verri

The World Cup in Qatar got off to a controversial start just three minutes into the opening game with a contentious VAR call.

Ecuador captain Enner Valencia looked to have given his nation the lead after just three minutes when heading home Felix Torres’ acrobatic cross, after Qatar goalkeeper Saad Al Sheeb had flapped at Pervis Estupinan’s free kick delivery.

It was a big, early setback for Qatar, who were looking to avoid becoming the first host nation to lose their opening game. The Video Assistant Referee, though, came to Qatar’s rescue and ruled out the goal for offside to much confusion.

Replays did not appear to show an offside, and TV audiences were not privy to the footage the VAR team reviewed.

Read our full explainer here

Was always going to be...

19:42 , Matt Verri

England seek FIFA clarification

19:06 , Matt Verri

The FA are seeking urgent clarification from FIFA over the potential consequences of Harry Kane wearing the ‘OneLove’ armband in Monday’s World Cup opener against Iran, following reports that players who wear it could be booked before kick-off, writes Dan Kilpatrick.

The FA had previously been adamant that captain Kane would wear the rainbow-coloured, anti-discrimination armband in Qatar even if it meant accepting a fine from FIFA, who have not approved the garment.

A number of European nations wrote to FIFA in September to indicate they planned to wear the armband promoting inclusivity and LGBTQ+ rights for the rest of 2022 but the world governing body did not respond.

A report in German publication Bild on Sunday indicated that Germany were now reconsidering the move after learning skipper Manuel Neuer could be booked before the start of matches in Qatar for breaching FIFA’s equipment rules.

Read the full story on that here

Not exactly a thriller...

18:52 , Matt Verri

Victory for Brighton!

18:40 , Matt Verri

Three Brighton players featured for Ecuador in their comfortable win - clear who the Seagulls will be supporting over the next couple of weeks!

Caicedo was as tidy as ever in midfield, while Estupinan saw plenty of the ball out on the left. Sarmiento was introduced with about 20 minutes to go to make it a Brighton trio.

Clean sheet run extended

18:31 , Matt Verri

It’s now seven clean sheets in a row for Ecuador - the last time they conceded was against Argentina in March when Julian Alvarez scored.

Today was the first time they’ve also scored more than once in a match during that run. Safe to say it was pretty much a perfect evening for Ecuador, leaves them well on track to reach the last 16.

Malik Ouzia at Al Bayt Stadium

18:21 , Matt Verri

That was a pretty limp start. Qatar dreadful in the first-half, better in the second but Ecuador took foot off gas and should’ve won by more.

Thousands not bothering to come back after half-time doesn’t bode well for the tournament.

Dear oh dear...

18:14 , Matt Verri

Hosts disappointing on debut

18:08 , Matt Verri

Qatar’s squad have been together for a long time preparing for this tournament, a huge moment for them.

Maybe the occasion got to them, they didn’t offer much of a threat at all. Still waiting for their first World Cup goal... in fact they’re still waiting for their first World Cup shot on target.

Plenty of improvement needed in forward areas.

Not a great stat for Qatar...

18:03 , Matt Verri

FT: Qatar 0-2 Ecuador

17:59 , Matt Verri

That’s an impressive opening display from Ecuador, far too good for Qatar.

Enner Valencia with the two goals, and he had another ruled out by VAR for offside. Hosts never really in the match, not at all the performance they were looking for on their World Cup debut.

17:55 , Matt Verri

90+2 mins: Five minutes added on. Will there be any consolation for the hosts?

Not looking likely, Ecuador strolling around with the ball. Caicedo is off, he’ll get a few minutes extra rest with this result in the bag.

17:53 , Matt Verri

89 mins: Ecuador corner, Plata into the near post and Rawi heads it away. No pace at all in the match now really, both sides know this one is done.

Job well done for Ecuador - they can see the Netherlands clash next up as a bit of a free hit.

17:50 , Matt Verri

86 mins: Bit more care and it would be 3-0.

Sarmiento with so much space to run into, Estrada completely free to his right but the pass is too heavy and his team-mate can’t keep it in play.

At the other end of the pitch Muntari is in behind and hammers a half-volley at goal, onto the roof of the net. Many thought that was in!

17:48 , Matt Verri

84 mins: Lots of niggly fouls in the closing stages, Qatar unable to get any sort of momentum going. That’s been the case all match really, never looked like getting something from this.

Senegal and the Netherlands to come... not getting much easier!

17:45 , Matt Verri

81 mins: Ball slid through towards Plata, he goes sliding in on the goalkeeper trying to get there. Had to go for it really, just a free-kick.

67,372 is the official attendance, or at least that’s how many were in earlier in the match. Not quite that many now it would be fair to say.

17:43 , Matt Verri

79 mins: Sarmiento drops to his knees as he blasts the ball over the bar, fell to him nicely in the box.

He’s very relieved to look over and see the linesman’s flag is up, wouldn’t have counted. Offside in the build-up.

17:42 , Matt Verri

78 mins: Plata pokes the ball away from Afif, gets caught and that will be another yellow card for Qatar. That’s their fourth.

Mendez drills it towards the box, barely gets off the ground. Would be surprised if that was the plan.

17:39 , Matt Verri

75 mins: Afif has space almost 30 yards out, crowd scream at him to go for goal. He does just that, can’t keep it down though.

For the third time this evening Valencia is down and looking in pain. This will surely be his match over - and it will be. He’s more than done his job already.

17:37 , Matt Verri

73 mins: Ecuador will get another chance to whip it in, ill-discipline is a real problem for Qatar. Estupinan stands over the ball again.

Poor ball, doesn’t beat the first man. Torres and Hincapie not too delighted that they’ve trudged up for that.

17:34 , Matt Verri

71 mins: Caicedo, Sarmiento and Estupinan play it between each other, the Brighton triangle out on the left.

It’s Caicedo who is then brought down, free-kick to Ecuador. Up come the defenders. Torres challenges for it at the back post, can’t quite get there and it’s hammered out of play.

17:31 , Matt Verri

68 mins: Ibarra is coming off for Ecuador, first subsitution of the tournament. Not sure that’s a honour he’ll be too thrilled to have.

Sarmiento on in his place for the final 20 minutes or so.

17:30 , Matt Verri

66 mins: Strong hint of a foul throw from Miguel, referee has suddenly found a generous side though and lets it go.

Qatar having more of the ball but it’s all in defence, not going anywhere with it. Ecuador not looking threatened at all, coasting to an opening three points as it stands.

17:26 , Matt Verri

62 mins: Looks like he should be fine to continue.

Ecuador briefly down to ten, Qatar attack down that side and clip the ball into the box. Miguel wins the header at the back post and it’s a decent effort, always going wide though.

17:24 , Matt Verri

60 mins: Ecuador happy to slow the pace of the match down, passing the ball around at the back and in midfield. They look so much more comfortable in possession than Qatar.

Preciado slides to intercept a pass, has stayed down holding his hip. Might have overstretched.

17:21 , Matt Verri

57 mins: Mendez joins his midfield partner Caicedo on a yellow card, not a great challenge at all.

Referee has been quick to punish anything slightly late all match - five players in the book so far.

17:19 , Matt Verri

55 mins: Should really be 3-0!

Qatar lose the ball and Ecuador pounce, Ibarra played clean through. Chops onto his right foot, curling effort is comfortable saved in the end. Big chance.

17:18 , Matt Verri

54 mins: Lovely from Plata, skipping past the challenges and does well to keep his balance. Whips a great cross into the box, manages to find the tiny gap right in between Valencia and Estrada.

Hasn’t been too much in the way of attacking threat since the restart, but Ecuador are beginning to look sharp again.

17:16 , Matt Verri

52 mins: Wow. Preciado is about 35 yards out, pretty wide on the right and he’s decided that is a distance he has in the locker.

Tries his luck and blasts a shot that is still rising as it is flies high into the stands. Woeful effort.

17:14 , Matt Verri

50 mins: The hosts still don’t look very comfortable when the ball is in the air, Valencia and Estrada both enjoying success whenever their side play it long.

Maybe not that time - Estupinan slices it straight out of play as he tries to find Valencia down the line.

17:11 , Matt Verri

47 mins: Qatar look to be pushing a bit higher up the pitch since the restart, Torres harried on the ball and he loses it.

Ecuador win it and break up the pitch, Valencia thinks he’s been dragged back on the edge of the box, referee doesn’t agree.

Back underway!

17:09 , Matt Verri

The second-half is underway - no changes from either side at the break. Valencia is back out and fine to continue.

17:05 , Matt Verri

Rob Page being interviewed at half-time. His Wales side are in action tomorow, facing the USA in their opening match.

Also have England vs Iran and Senegal vs Netherlands to come earlier in the day - lots to look forward to!

We’ll have live blogs covering all of those, as we will for every match in the tournament.

17:02 , Matt Verri

Ecuador with 54% possession in the opening 45 minutes, Qatar boosting that stat in the final few minutes of the half as they kept the ball at the back.

Two shots for the hosts, three for Ecuador. If you looked at all the stats you’d think it was a fairly even half, but they don’t really tell the story. Ecuador absolutely dominant.

Valencia at the double!

16:59 , Matt Verri

Talk about composure...

16:55 , Matt Verri

HT: Qatar 0-2 Ecuador

16:52 , Matt Verri

Almost! Qatar get in down the right, brilliant delivery in but Ali makes a complete mess of the header. Huge moment.

And that brings an end to the first 45 minutes of the tournament.

Ecuador the better side by a long way, Qatar have struggled to get anything going at all. Valencia with the goals, first from the penalty spot and the second with a great header. He had one ruled out before those too.

16:50 , Matt Verri

45+3 mins: Qatar having their best spell of the match, finally showing some composure in possession.

They go for the big pass out wide, Torres able to cut it out though and Plata is then brought down.

16:47 , Matt Verri

45 mins: Valencia jogs back on... jog might be over-selling it a bit. Maybe just wants to get to half-time.

Surely there will be plenty of added-time, with the injuries as well as that disallowed goal and the penalty. We’re about to get the answer - five minutes it is.

16:45 , Matt Verri

43 mins: Valencia is down again for Ecuador, holding his knee. Looks like he stretched it as he planted his leg, knee went the other way to the rest of his body.

Physios back on - and the stretcher is following them. Really worrying this for Ecuador’s captain. The stretcher is in fact waved away, he’s back on his feet.

He can hardly walk though.

16:43 , Matt Verri

41 mins: Torres pushes out of defence, leaves space for Afif to run into. Mendez is swiftly across to slam the door shut though.

Hatem tries to keep Qatar on the attack, plays the ball straight out of play and behind for a goal-kick.

16:41 , Matt Verri

39 mins: Valencia very nearly away down the left, not enough on the pass though and Rawi can get across and then win a cheap free-kick.

Qatar starting to see a tiny bit more of the ball, which is at least something for them.

16:39 , Matt Verri

37 mins: Boudiaf with a really poor challenge on Valencia, he joins the crowd in the book. Fourth yellow card of the match already.

That’s about as close as Qatar have got to Valencia all game - camera pans to the crowd and the home fans aren’t looking too chuffed with life.

16:37 , Matt Verri

35 mins: Qatar can’t string more than about three passes together, Ecuador all over them.

Estupinan gets a little too confident, dancing around with the ball on the halfway line. Just about gets away with it though.

16:36 , Matt Verri

33 mins: Hassan blazes an effort over the bar from miles out, Qatar’s first ever World Cup shot. Not one to put in the history books.

Miguel then catches his man with an elbow, that will be a free-kick for Ecuador.

GOAL! Qatar 0-2 Ecuador | Enner Valencia 31'

16:33 , Matt Verri

VALENCIA ON FIRE!

He has another one, brilliant header from the captain! Preciado whips the cross in from out wide, Valencia still has plenty to do but he powers the header into the bottom corner. Sensational.

Why the Valencia header was ruled out

16:32 , Matt Verri

The World Cup in Qatar got off to a controversial start just three minutes into the opening game with a contentious VAR call.

Ecuador captain Enner Valencia looked to have given his nation the lead after just three minutes when heading home Felix Torres’ acrobatic cross, after Qatar goalkeeper Saad Al Sheeb had flapped at Pervis Estupinan’s free kick delivery.

It was a big, early setback for Qatar, who were looking to avoid becoming the first host nation to lose their opening game. The Video Assistant Referee, though, came to Qatar’s rescue and ruled out the goal for offside to much confusion.

Read the full explanation of that decision here

16:31 , Matt Verri

28 mins: Ecuador getting plenty of time to pass the ball around at the back, no pressure on their defenders. Ideal first half an hour or so for them.

Plenty of noise coming from the stands - Qatar fans have a section that are bouncing up and down. Not too much to cheer them on the pitch so far.

Caicedo pulls his man back and gets a yellow card - referee very keen to bring out the cards.

16:27 , Matt Verri

25 mins: Qatar taking their sweet time over a throw-in, safe to say they’ve not particularly enjoyed their World Cup debut so far. Lucky it’s only 1-0 really.

Ahmed then slides in and brings down Preciado, not far away from being a third yellow card there.

16:24 , Matt Verri

22 mins: Second yellow card of the match, Ali brings down Valencia who is too quick for him. Bit harsh that, not a huge amount of contact.

No surprise that this is going straight into the Qatar box. Defended initially, Qatar can’t clear it though. This time they can, Miguel boots it all the way up to Galindez in goal.

16:22 , Matt Verri

20 mins: Ecuador threatening to run riot here. Estupinan gets in on the left, dinks the ball into the six-yard box and Estrada goes flying into the goalkeeper as he looks to head it home.

Painful one for both of them - all for nothing too as Estupinan was offside.

16:20 , Matt Verri

18 mins: Qatar look to respond immediately, bundling their way into the box but the offside flag is up.

Sheeb has looked really shaky so far, got away with that disallowed goal but he’s been punished this time. He got a yellow card for that foul too.

GOAL! Qatar 0-1 Ecuador | Enner Valencia 16'

16:18 , Matt Verri

ROLLS IT IN!

This one definitely counts. So composed, strolls up to the ball and rolls it into the bottom corner as Sheeb dives the other way. Lovely penalty.

PENALTY ECUADOR!

16:17 , Matt Verri

Referee took his time but eventually he points to the spot!

Sheeb is having a miserable time out there. Valencia played through, he goes round the goalkeeper and gets brought down. VAR surely won’t be overturning that.

16:16 , Matt Verri

14 mins: We’ve had a replay of sorts of that disallowed goal - looks to be a knee was offside. That’s what the little graphic shows anyway.

Estrada flicks a long ball on, Valencia briefly interested but he bundles the defender over as he chases after it. Qatar not really in the match yet.

16:14 , Matt Verri

12 mins: Long throw from Ecuador, headed behind for a corner. Qatar under plenty of pressure early on.

It will be Plata to take, plenty of bodies right on the line as the referee jogs over to warn them about three times. Eventually the ball comes in, great ball but Khoukhi powers a header clear.

16:12 , Matt Verri

10 mins: Qatar, particularly Sheeb in goal, not looking particularly confident when the ball gets crossed in. Valencia fouled out wide and Ecuador have another chance to bring up the defenders.

Estupinan will whip it in from the left. Low at the near post, booted away.

16:09 , Matt Verri

7 mins: Well that’s a very controversial opening decision. No idea at all what the problem was there. Referee signalled for offside after the VAR check, but difficult to see where it was.

Ecuador dominating possession now, Qatar happy to regroup after that scare.

NO GOAL!

16:08 , Matt Verri

It’s been ruled out!

VAR has taken a look and the goal has been chalked off! The home fans celebrate that wildly.

Replays show... not sure what. It’s been ruled out for something though.

GOAL! Qatar 0-1 Ecuador | Enner Valencia 3'

16:05 , Matt Verri

ECUADOR TAKE AN EARLY LEAD!

It’s their captain Valencia who has the first goal of the World Cup! Free-kick pinged into the box, Sheeb comes and gets nowhere near it.

Falls for Torres, he slices it back into the six-yard box and Valencia nods into the empty net.

16:04 , Matt Verri

2 mins: Barely a minute played and Ecuador have already thrown themselves into about four challenges. Make that five, Mendez has just absolutely clattered Afif.

And now Qatar return the favour, Caicedo has taken a blow to his knee. Well it’s been a fun start!

KICK-OFF!

16:02 , Matt Verri

The 2022 World Cup is underway!

15:58 , Matt Verri

Ecuador national anthem first - it’s very strong. Not a huge amount of help from the crowd, it would be fair to say.

Plenty of support for the Qatar anthem, not quite the same enthusiasm as the Ecuador one though. We’ll call that 1-0.

Time for the part that matters!

15:54 , Matt Verri

Gianni Infantino takes the microphone and starts waffling on again, thankfully he’s in a better mood than he was earlier in the week when he had his... rant.

Anyway, teams are out onto the pitch and the World Cup is well and truly here!

15:50 , Matt Verri

Ecuador come into this match on a run of six consecutive clean sheets - Qatar forwards are not going to have an easy time of it.

Four of those games finished goalless, so Ecuador not exactly free-scoring either. Doesn’t bode too well for this to be an end-to-end encounter.

Fingers crossed though...

Not long now!

15:44 , Matt Verri

Atmosphere is building with 15 minutes to go until kick-off.

Want a video of the players walking into the stadium earlier this afternoon? You’re in luck.

Also in the group...

15:37 , Matt Verri

Netherlands and Senegal are the other two countries in Group A.

Louis van Gaal’s Netherlands side the clear favourites to top the group, on paper at least it’s then Ecuador and Senegal pushing for second with Qatar the outsiders.

Runners-up would play the team that wins Group B - could well be England.

Ecuador guide

15:30 , Matt Verri

Best thing about them: Their willingness to blood young players and give them a chance on a big stage.

Worst thing about them: Their strength could also be their weakness. How much will a lack of experience hinder them?

Their prospects in three words: Potential dark horses.

Read Simon Collings’ full preview here

Infantino’s masterclass in whataboutery

15:21 , Matt Verri

Gianni Infantino wants football to be the only talking point in Qatar but the irony is that even the most engaging 90 minutes of the World Cup will struggle to top the extraordinary drama of the FIFA president’s hour-and-a-half press conference on the eve of the tournament.

In a giant amphitheatre in the bowels of Doha’s main media centre, Infantino launched a rambling and defiant series of ‘opening remarks’ lasting an hour, covering a range of topics from European immigration policy to being bullied as a child for his freckles.

The theme of his monologue was a staunch defence of World Cup hosts Qatar, who have faced criticism for their treatment of migrant workers and anti-LGBT laws, and an attack on what he described as European “hypocrisy”.

Read the full story on that here

Plenty to come!

15:16 , Matt Verri

Just over 45 minutes to go until we’re up and running.

This match was initially supposed to take place tomorrow, but was moved to today as a late decision.

As a result there will be three matches tomorrow - we start with England vs Iran at 1pm GMT!

Ecuador team news

15:07 , Matt Verri

Ecuador XI: Galindez; Preciado, Torres, Hincapie, Estupinan; Plata, Mendez, Caicedo, Ibarra; Estrada, Valencia

Qatar team news

15:06 , Matt Verri

Qatar XI: Al Sheeb; Al-Rawi, Khoukhi, Hassan; Miguel, Hatem, Boudiaf, Al-Haydos, Ahmed; Ali, Afif

Good news...

14:56 , Matt Verri

That’s a relief, they have remembered to bring the trophy. Not the first time Marcel Desailly has had his hands on it.

Opening ceremony, narrated by Morgan Freeman, is underway... you can follow that live right here.

Just over an hour to go until the football gets up and running!

Hosts are ready!

14:51 , Matt Verri

Qatar team unsurprisingly taking in every second, huge moment for them.

All the team news ahead of the opening match of the tournament will be coming up very, very shortly. Stay tuned!

14:39 , Alex Young

The Qatar squad are taking in the scenes. The host nation will play their first ever World Cup game in a little over an hour.

14:32 , Alex Young

Much has been said on the temperatures across Qatar for this World Cup, even after moving to the winter months.

Well, it’s still going to be near 30C come kick-off, which is at 7pm local time. England face Iran tomorrow at 4pm local time. Potentially roasting.

Score prediction

14:18 , Alex Young

La Tricolore certainly have the quality to hurt Qatar, who on paper are a much weaker side.

Still, hosts generally step up to the plate at the World Cup, making it difficult to confidently predict this will play out as most observers would predict.

For that reason, a draw seems safe.

A 1-1 draw.

Ecuador team news

13:59 , Alex Young

Ecuador, meanwhile, have the kind of midfield many teams in the tournament will envy. Brighton’s Moises Caicedo is a standout, while Angel Mena, Jeremy Sarmiento and Ayrton Preciado provide added quality.

Carlos Gruezo is also a doubt after he limped out of Augsburg’s defeat to Bochum in the Bundesliga. Sarmiento, meanwhile, has been suffering with his own issue of late.

Deployed in various systems, ranging from 4-2-3-1, 4-3-3 and 4-4-1-1, this a tactically versatile side who place great importance on their full-backs.

Qatar team news

13:49 , Alex Young

Qatar have largely operated in a 5-3-2 system, with the experienced Akram Afif and Almoez Ali leading the line.

Coach Felix Sanchez Bas has built his side on consistency and coherence since his appointment and it would be a major surprise to see him deviate from that.

Where to watch

13:35 , Alex Young

TV channel: In the UK, the World Cup opener will be broadcast live free-to-air on BBC One, with coverage starting at 3pm.

Live stream: Coverage is also available online via the BBC Sport website and BBC iPlayer.

Here we go

13:24 , Alex Young

It’s finally here. The first game of the World Cup in Qatar kicks off at 4pm GMT as the hosts take on Ecuador.

First up at the 60,000-capacity Al Bayt Stadium will be the opening ceremony.

The stadium is one of seven built since Qatar won the right to hosts and it is named and designed after the tents used by nomads in the Gulf. It also has a retractable roof.