Ecuador eased past World Cup debutants Qatar 2-0 on Sunday 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, nicknamed "Superman" at home, 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.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/watch-ecuador-captain-enner-valencia-scores-first-goal-of-fifa-world-cup-2022-535885">WATCH: Ecuador captain Enner Valencia scores first goal of FIFA World Cup 2022</a>

That goal killed the Group A game as a contest and the second half was played at a slow pace, with many Qataris leaving before the end as Ecuador's fans chanted "Ole!"

Despite an enviously long time to bond and train together, including summer camps in Europe, Qatar looked largely toothless. Almoez Ali had their best chance at the end of the first half, heading wide but then judged offside.

Mohammed Muntari also fired over in the dying minutes.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ronaldo-and-messi-pose-together-in-a-stunning-pictue-to-break-the-internet-ahead-of-fifa-world-cup-2022-535857">Ronaldo and Messi pose together in a stunning picture to break the internet ahead of FIFA World Cup 2022</a>

Both sides now have to play Senegal and the Netherlands in the group stage, with Qatar's chances of picking up points or qualifying looking slim on this performance.

Ecuador are dreaming of surpassing their best ever previous World Cup showing when they reached the last 16 in 2006.

Ecuador eased past World Cup debutants Qatar 2-0 on Sunday with two goals from veteran striker Enner Valencia in a first opening game defeat for a host nation in the tournament's history.

Ecuador eased past World Cup debutants Qatar 2-0 on Sunday 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, nicknamed "Superman" at home, 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. Also Read: WATCH: Ecuador captain Enner Valencia scores first goal of FIFA World Cup 2022 That goal killed the Group A game as a contest and the second half was played at a slow pace, with many Qataris leaving before the end as Ecuador's fans chanted "Ole!" Despite an enviously long time to bond and train together, including summer camps in Europe, Qatar looked largely toothless. Almoez Ali had their best chance at the end of the first half, heading wide but then judged offside. Mohammed Muntari also fired over in the dying minutes. Also Read: Ronaldo and Messi pose together in a stunning picture to break the internet ahead of FIFA World Cup 2022 Both sides now have to play Senegal and the Netherlands in the group stage, with Qatar's chances of picking up points or qualifying looking slim on this performance. Ecuador are dreaming of surpassing their best ever previous World Cup showing when they reached the last 16 in 2006.

FIFA World Cup 2022: Ecuador ease past hapless Qatar in tournament opener

Ecuador captain Enner Valencia scored the first goal at the FIFA World Cup 2022 in the tournament opener at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar. Valencia managed to find the back of the net inside just three minutes of kick-off as Ecuador locked horns with hosts Qatar in the first game of the tournament.

Valencia managed to get in a strong header on a brilliant pass from Felix Torres to put the ball in the back of the net and thought he had the first goal of the tournament after a terrible mistake from Qatar keeper&nbsp;Saad Al Sheeb. However, the goal was disallowed by VAR as Valencia was deemed off-side in the build-up.

However, Ecuador were arguably the better of the two teams on the pitch in the initial few minutes of the game and it didn't take them too long to go ahead as Valencia kept testing the Qatari defence with his solid runs forward. The Ecuador skipper managed to get on the scoresheet finally in the 16th minute after being awarded a penalty for a foul from Al Sheeb.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/no-pressure-spains-ferran-torres-on-his-relationship-with-coach-luis-enriques-daughter-ahead-of-fifa-wc-535873">'No pressure': Spain's Ferran Torres on his relationship with coach Luis Enrique's daughter ahead of FIFA WC</a>

Valencia was brought down inside the box by the Qatar keeper after finding himself in a one-on-one situation in front of the goal. It was a terrible challenge from the Qatari keeper and Valencia made sure to punish the hosts for his mistake by slotting it home from the spot.

The Ecuador striker looked calm and composed as he tucked the ball in the bottom right corner to send Al Sheeb the wrong way and score the first goal of the competition.

Watch the first goal of FIFA World Cup 2022:

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GOOOOOOL 
 
Ecuador scores the FIRST goal of the Qatar World Cup 2022! 🇪🇨🇪🇨🇪🇨🇪🇨 <a href="https://t.co/df6k9f74BX">pic.twitter.com/df6k9f74BX</a>
— South American Fútbol Show (@SouthAmFutbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/SouthAmFutbol/status/1594365929713958912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 20, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ronaldo-and-messi-pose-together-in-a-stunning-pictue-to-break-the-internet-ahead-of-fifa-world-cup-2022-535857">Ronaldo and Messi pose together in a stunning picture to break the internet ahead of FIFA World Cup 2022</a>

Valencia doubled Ecuador's lead in the 31st minute with a sensational header after latching on to a fine crosss from &nbsp;Angelo Preciado. Michael Estrada too tried to send it in but it was Valenica, who managed to make the contact with the ball and coneected a strong header to beat Al Sheeb for the third time in the game for his second goal.

With the goal, the Ecuador skipper put his team in cruise control in their opener and also extended his taly to five goals in the World Cup for his country.

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Ecuador captain Enner Valencia scored the first goal at the FIFA World Cup 2022 in the tournament opener at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar. Valencia managed to find the back of the net inside just three minutes of kick-off as Ecuador locked horns with hosts Qatar in the first game of the tournament.

Ecuador captain Enner Valencia scored the first goal at the FIFA World Cup 2022 in the tournament opener at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar. Valencia managed to find the back of the net inside just three minutes of kick-off as Ecuador locked horns with hosts Qatar in the first game of the tournament. Valencia managed to get in a strong header on a brilliant pass from Felix Torres to put the ball in the back of the net and thought he had the first goal of the tournament after a terrible mistake from Qatar keeper Saad Al Sheeb. However, the goal was disallowed by VAR as Valencia was deemed off-side in the build-up. However, Ecuador were arguably the better of the two teams on the pitch in the initial few minutes of the game and it didn't take them too long to go ahead as Valencia kept testing the Qatari defence with his solid runs forward. The Ecuador skipper managed to get on the scoresheet finally in the 16th minute after being awarded a penalty for a foul from Al Sheeb. Also Read: 'No pressure': Spain's Ferran Torres on his relationship with coach Luis Enrique's daughter ahead of FIFA WC Valencia was brought down inside the box by the Qatar keeper after finding himself in a one-on-one situation in front of the goal. It was a terrible challenge from the Qatari keeper and Valencia made sure to punish the hosts for his mistake by slotting it home from the spot. The Ecuador striker looked calm and composed as he tucked the ball in the bottom right corner to send Al Sheeb the wrong way and score the first goal of the competition. Watch the first goal of FIFA World Cup 2022: GOOOOOOL Ecuador scores the FIRST goal of the Qatar World Cup 2022! 🇪🇨🇪🇨🇪🇨🇪🇨 pic.twitter.com/df6k9f74BX — South American Fútbol Show (@SouthAmFutbol) November 20, 2022 × Also Read: Ronaldo and Messi pose together in a stunning picture to break the internet ahead of FIFA World Cup 2022 Valencia doubled Ecuador's lead in the 31st minute with a sensational header after latching on to a fine crosss from Angelo Preciado. Michael Estrada too tried to send it in but it was Valenica, who managed to make the contact with the ball and coneected a strong header to beat Al Sheeb for the third time in the game for his second goal. With the goal, the Ecuador skipper put his team in cruise control in their opener and also extended his taly to five goals in the World Cup for his country.

WATCH: Ecuador captain Enner Valencia scores first goal of FIFA World Cup 2022

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FIFA World Cup 2022: Ecuador ease past hapless Qatar in tournament opener

WATCH: Ecuador captain Enner Valencia scores first goal of FIFA World Cup 2022