World Cup 2022 Qatar 0 Ecuador 2 LIVE REACTION: Valencia double sinks host nation in opening match in Doha

World Cup begins with a bang

We have had fireworks wish us well, Morgan Freeman remind us that Shawshank Redemption money doesn't last forever and a first half performance that left Qatari fans heading for the door.

There has been 60 foot puppets walking around and you look to your left and see an extremely heavily armed police presence go passed on camels.

This has been a weird and wonderful day but it is what the World Cup is all about.

Team underwhelms, money talks

Qatar have left most of the football fans questioning whether the World Cup should be given to countries who will struggle to compete in the tournament.

In this instance, everything bar their football left fans saying 'wow' but sadly so did their football team.

Felix Sanchez looked like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders, or he could be just thinking about those alleged human rights abuses by the country and wondering where that leaves him after such a defeat.

Seagull maturing into cultured midfielder

Moises Caicedo is one of the stars of this Ecuador side but Gustavo Alfaro tries to gel his side as a collective team rather than individuals.

As a result, and was seen today, it is rare for individual players to stand out.

Caicedo as can be seen from his pass map was integral to the South American's link up play.

The tale of the tape

Group A makes for good reading if you are an Ecuador fan.

With only one game having been played, they sit proudly at the top of the table.

Gustavo Alfaro will be happy if that is still the case this time next week.

Ecuador looking to go Dutch

The group leaders next play on Friday as they take on group-favourites the Netherlands.

It will offer a completely different challenge for Gustavo Alfaro and his team but having already amassed three points it could prove to be a 'must not lose' game now.

The Dutch side will play their first group game tomorrow as they face African champions Senegal.

AFCON champions next for hosts

Qatar will play against Senegal in their next group game on Friday.

Senegal suffered a huge loss after Bayern Munich's Sadio Mane had to undergo surgery on an injury he received just before the tournament.

Despite this loss, Senegal have shown their depth as they went on to claim the AFCON title, beating Mohamed Salah's Egypt in the final.

Qatar will need to rethink their attacking play if they are to cause the African champions problems.

Enner puts in yards for side

Ecuador hero Enner Valencia put in a real shift for his side today up until the jarring of his knee.

Even so, in the second half the striker still battled on until the manager saw fit to rest one of his prized-assets with the game won.

Huge challenge ahead for hosts

Having lost their opening group game, that leaves fixtures in the group remaining against Senegal and the Netherlands.

Despite Senegal losing their talisman, Sadio Mane, the AFCON champions will still offer a huge challenge to Qatar.

Netherlands, favourites to win the group, will offer no safe haven for the Qatari defence.

Records broken on day one

Enner Valencia may have not set the world alight at West Ham and Everton but the striker showed his true worth to his country today.

His two goals got them the three points they craved but also made him Ecuador's all-time FIFA World Cup top scorer.

This is only his second world cup and fourth game in the finals but he has now taken his tally to five goals.

Forget results, enjoy the moment

Despite the gulf in quality between the two sides today, it was great to see how much the Qatar fans continued to enjoy the showpiece event.

While some left and didn't come back at half-time, those who did stay made themselves heard.

Locals were immersing themselves in all the fever-pitch atmosphere that a World Cup can bring to your country.

Fan zones enjoying opener

Qatar fans had big hopes of their team in this World Cup as they have spend ten years working towards this opening game.

They saw Ecuador as the weakest of the opponents in their group but did not expect it go as badly as did in the first half.

Once the reality of the task at hand set in, the enormity of the challenge hit home.

Yellow, as far as the eye can see

Mainly due to all the Ecuador fans in the crowd supporting their team but Daniele Orsato contributed to proceedings also.

The match referee produced more cards than Dynamo as he booked four Qatar players and two Ecuador players in a game that really wasn't that dirty.

Qatar may have deserved some of theirs as they lunge into tackles that haven't been seen since the school playground but Dynamo did seem a bit card happy.

It will be interesting to see if the other officials follow suit in the tournament.

Tite's tip make perfect start

The team that Brazil manager Tite labelled as his 'dark horses' for the World Cup tournament, showed their potential here today.

Facing one of the weaker sides in the competition, Senegal and the Netherlands will prove much tougher opposition for Alfaro's side.

Three points in the bag, top of the group, it was a good day at the office for Ecuador.

FT: Qatar 0-2 Ecuador

The hosts suffer defeat in their first World Cup finals appearance.

As the stats show, they struggled to contain their opponents.

Inside the ground - would someone switch off the lights?

If you hang on a few minutes, I can give you the names of all the fans left inside, writes Martin Lipton.

Well, maybe not quite. 

But you get the drift.

The statistics might suggest this one was tight and close.

It really wasn’t.

Anyway, one match down, 63 to go. Hopefullymany of them better than this.

Qatar 0-2 Ecuador

90+4. Qatar burst forward with the right back beating two players.

As soon as it opens up for him to find a team mate, the loose pass goes straight out of play for a throw in.

Pretty much sums up the day for the World Cup 2022 hosts.

Qatar 0-2 Ecuador

90+2. Ecuador are knocking the ball around to ole's from their fans.

Every time a yellow shirt touches the ball.

The South Americans are in party atmosphere after this win.

Qatar 0-2 Ecuador

90. We are going to have five additional minutes here.

Late double change for Ecuador also.

Estrada and Caicedo come off.

Franco and Rodríguez comes on for a World Cup appearance.

Qatar 0-2 Ecuador

88. The Qatar fans despite the result still seem to be enjoying their day.

Ecuador have not given up on a third goal before the end.

Corner to the South Americans.

Inside the ground - traffic's a doddle

Given the problems I had getting here, it’s good news that even more of the home fans have hit the high road back to Doha with 20 minutes or more to go, writes Martin Lipton.

Qatar aren’t going to score many goals, that’s for sure.

But I wouldn’t be shocked if they end up with the most yellow cards per game of any side here. Four already and more, perhaps, to come.

Qatar 0-2 Ecuador - Muntari chance

86. The home fans were awoken from their slumber then.

Direct ball over the top, Muntari lets it drop and looks to lift it over the keeper who is slightly off his line.

The striker just puts too much on it as it lands on the roof of the net.

Qatar 0-2 Ecuador

84. This was always going to be a monumental task for Qatar.

The football romantic loves to dream of an upset from the minnows but Ecuador have just had too much for them.

Enner Valencia was the difference today.

Without him, Ecuador could have struggled to make their domination count.

Qatar 0-2 Ecuador

82. For a split second I thought Erik ten Hag was coaching Qatar.

Felix Sanchez just bared an uncanny resemblance for a moment.

Looking bewildered on the touchline, wondering what he is seeing from his team.

Qatar 0-2 Ecuador

80. Ecuador attack looking to open up the tired legs of Qatar.

The ball drops to Sarmiento inside the box who cannot keep his shot down and blazes it over the bar.

He is relieved to see the offside flag up after that miss.