After 21 editions: Qatar is the first host to lose in its opening match at the World Cup

The first surprise in the 2022 World Cup. Ecuador beat Qatar 2-0 and became the first hosts of a World Cup that they lost when they entered the competition, something that had not happened in the 21 previous editions of the tournament.

In this way, in the 92-year history of the tournament, Ecuador became the first executioner of a host team in the opening match.

Regarding this, Gustavo Alfaro maintained that “It was the most important game of the World Cup, it was the start, it was the local. You had to tear down historical myths that play against you ”.

Ecuador got a victory without surprises and the star was Enner Valencia with a double. The Ecuadorian attacker scored two of his goals in the first half, one from a penalty in minute 16 and another with a header in minute 31, leaving his team’s victory on track. The scoreboard was no longer moved in the second half at the Al Bayt Stadium.

Statistics of the opening matches in the World Cup

• 2022: Ecuador beat Qatar 2-0 at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor. opening party.
• 2018: Russia beat Saudi Arabia 5-0 at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. opening party.
• 2014: Brazil beat Croatia 3-1 at the Arena Corinthians in Sao Paulo. opening party.
• 2010: South Africa and Mexico draw 1-1 at Soccer City in Johannesburg. opening party.
• 2006: Germany beat Costa Rica 4-2 at the Allianz Arena in Munich (then called the FIFA World Cup Stadium). opening party.
• 2002: Japan and Belgium draw 2-2 at Saitama Stadium and South Korea beat Poland 2-0 at Asiade Stadium in Busan.
• 1998: France beat South Africa 3-0 at the Stade de France in Paris.
• 1994: United States and Switzerland tie 1-1 at Pontiac’s Silverdome.
• 1990: Italy beat Austria 1-0 at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.
• 1986: Mexico beat Belgium 2-1 at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City.
• 1982: Spain and Honduras draw 1-1 at the Luis Casanova Stadium in Valencia.
• 1978: Argentina beat Hungary 2-1 at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires.
• 1974: RFA beats Chile 1-0 at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin.
• 1970: Mexico and the USSR draw 0-0 at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico. opening party.
• 1966: England and Uruguay draw 0-0 at Wembley, London. opening party.
• 1962: Chile beat Switzerland 3-1 at the National Stadium in Santiago. opening party.
• 1958: Sweden beat Mexico 3-0 at the Rasunda Stadium in Solna. opening party.
• 1954: Switzerland beat Italy 2-1 at the Stadio Olimpico de la Pontaise in Lausanne.
• 1950: Brazil beat Mexico 4-0 at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. opening party.
• 1938: France beat Belgium 3-1 at the Yves-du-Manoir Olympic Stadium in Colombes. opening party.
• 1934: Italy beat the United States 7-1 at the PNF National Stadium in Rome. opening party.
• 1930: Uruguay beats Peru 1-0 at the Centenario Stadium in Montevideo.