Fenerbahçe attacker Enner Valencia struck a first-half double to sink hosts Qatar in the opening game of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Al Khor on Sunday evening.
The 33-year-old who has now become Ecuador’s all-time leading scorer had a 3rd-minute goal ruled out by VAR for offside.
Valencia, who had spells in the Premier League with West Ham United and Everton, converted a 16th-minute penalty kick before he rose high to steer home a cross from Genk wing-half Angelo Preciado just around the half-hour mark.
Qatar has become the first host nation in the tournament’s history to succumb to a defeat in the opening game and now faces an uphill task to qualify from Group A with games against the Netherlands and Senegal in the offing.
