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Ecuador defeated World Cup debutants Qatar 2-0 on Sunday, thanks to first-half goals from veteran striker Enner Valencia, in a one-sided affair that marked the tournament’s first defeat for a host nation.
Ecuador’s all-time leading scorer, nicknamed “Superman” at home, scored an early penalty and added a well-placed header in the 31st minute to give the South Americans a commanding first-half lead as the home side froze with the magnitude of the occasion.
“Maybe the responsibility and the nerves got the better of us,” Qatar’s Spanish coach Felix Sanchez said.
Ecuador defeated World Cup debutants Qatar 2-0 on Sunday, thanks to first-half goals from veteran striker Enner Valencia, in a one-sided affair that marked the tournament’s first defeat for a host nation.
Ecuador’s all-time leading scorer, nicknamed “Superman” at home, scored an early penalty and added a well-placed header in the 31st minute to give the South Americans a commanding first-half lead as the home side froze with the magnitude of the occasion.
“I thought it was a goal. I think Michael Estrada needs to do something about his toe nails because it was very tight,” quipped Ecuador’s manager Gustavo Alfaro of his player whose foot was judged offside.
Ecuador pressed on, and Valencia calmly converted a penalty in the 16th minute after Alsheeb tripped him.
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