Qatar kick off tournamentSuffer defeat to EcuadorFirst hosts to lose opener
WHAT HAPPENED? The opening game of the World Cup saw Ecuador beat Qatar 2-0 courtesy of two first-half goals from captain Enner Valencia. Ecuador’s captain also saw a goal ruled out for offside. The result means Qatar become the first host nation ever to lose their opening game at a World Cup.
THE BIGGER PICTURE: It’s obviously not the start Qatar will have wanted to make to a competition that had been plagued by controversy before a ball had even been kicked. Supporters also made their feelings clear about the match at half-time as they abandoned the game in large numbers with the hosts already 2-0 down. Initial estimates suggest around 20,000 supporters left the game at the break.
DID YOU KNOW? There were just 11 shots in this game (five for Qatar, six for Ecuador) – no World Cup match on record (since 1966) has seen fewer attempts.
IN THREE PHOTOS:
WHAT NEXT FOR QATAR? The hosts return to action on Friday against Senegal.
England wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler admitted that he wasn’t able to handle the pressure of expectations… Read More
India’s veteran fast bowler Mohammed Shami said he is trying to give his absolute best… Read More
Dafabet has announced former England international Kevin Pietersen MBE as its new Global Brand Ambassador,… Read More
Former Indian batter Subramaniam Badrinath believes Rohit Sharma taking over the Mumbai Indians’ captaincy from… Read More
Former Indian fielding coach R Sridhar has shed light on key challenges which the Indian… Read More
India’s fast bowler Umesh Yadav has backed Bhuvneshwar Kumar for the 2027 ODI World Cup… Read More