DOHA: The FIFA World Cup 2022 saw host Qatar lose to Ecuador 0-2 in the opening fixture at the Al Bayt Stadium on Sunday.
Ecuador's Enner Valencia almost broke the deadlock in the third minute, with a clinical header, only to see it disallowed after a VAR check. However, the captain of La Tri scored a brace in the first-half to steer his side to a comfortable victory in Qatar 2022.
Qatar became the first host nation to lose its opening game of a World Cup. Of the 22 previous host nations, 16 of them secured in winning their first game, while six had to resign for a draw.
Qatar also became the third nation to host the tournament on its World Cup debut, after Uruguay in 1930 and Italy in 1934. Agencies
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