“With a firm foot to qualify”: Ecuador and how they saw the team’s debut in their country

Ecuador made its grand debut at the Qatar World Cup 2022. Despite the fact that history played against them – no host had lost the opening game of the tournament before – the ‘Tri’ managed to fight against all odds and achieve a great triumph (2-0) over the local team. Regarding this, we analyze what this victory has been with three specialists from the Ecuadorian environment.

Without a doubt, this Ecuadorian victory has left good impressions on locals and strangers. Gustavo Alfaro’s team managed to be superior to its rival from start to finish and this was reflected on the scoreboard, although it could easily have been larger.

The Argentine DT, who lately got used to playing with a 4-3-3 in his scheme, this time he bet on the 4-4-2 with Michael Estrada and Enner Valencia on the tips. The strategy worked perfectly. The individualities of the team transcended positively on the pitch. And the debut, then, ended up being very promising.

Even, thanks to that formula, Enner Valencia managed to meet again with the goal. In the preparations for Qatar 2022, the 33-year-old Ecuadorian attacker played four games with his team and failed to score in any of them. Now, he managed to break that losing streak with a double.

“Ecuador had the offensive individualities that had not worked for him in the preparation stage. Enner Valencia came from a very important goal drought in the national team, he couldn’t even score from a penalty. I think that the offensive strengthening, the good contribution of Michael Estrada, was decisive for an Ecuador that played a 4-4-2 that has not been so usual in Alfaro’s stage, regardless of important players like Grueso “highlights the journalist Esteban Avila.

“A very good debut for Ecuador that was obliged to win if it wants to fight for the round of 16 qualification. Good individual performances among which Valencia, who woke up in time for the World Cup, Estrada and Méndez stood out “points out the journalist Paul Serrano.

In the first half it was clear that Ecuador was ready to win. Thousands of kilometers from home, the ‘Tri’ dominated the ball as if it were local and generated numerous attacking plays, managing to celebrate three goals from Valencia, although one was controversially annulled.

Thus, Alfaro’s squad was able to leave at halftime with a win in their favor, but in the end it was not. Already in the second half the revolutions dropped, but the Ecuadorians always kept the rhythm of the game.

“In the first half, Ecuador did damage with long balls and inside play, taking advantage of Qatar’s bad setbacks and defensive incoordination. The second half was dedicated to regulating more physically against an opponent who tried to advance lines without success. That the game was liquidated so quickly played against the show. It would seem that the second half was left over”summarizes Serrano.

“In a match with great expectations, Ecuador was superior to the host team with an impressive development of Enner Valencia, who after his two goals became Ecuador’s top scorer in a World Cup”complements Fredy Hidalgo.

Qatar, bad place

Beyond the enormous merit of Ecuador to win the game, Qatar at no time responded to the level of what it is supposed to be: the Asian champion. The local team caused almost no concern for the ‘Tri’ defense.

“I was surprised by how weak Qatar ended up being based on the process it has been carrying out, once it had an acceptable Copa América here, it is the Asian champion… I thought Qatar was going to offer something more”says Esteban Avila.

The Qatari team gave its fans very few emotions. Almost nothing. In fact, goalkeeper Hernán Galíndez from Ecuador had little to do on Sunday, as he did not receive any direct shot at his goal. The hosts were totally disappointed.

“The game also allowed us to see the worst local debuting in a World Cup. Apparently the 12 years that Qatar has been preparing have not been enough.”says Pablo Serrano.

There are hopes

Their debut has made it clear that Ecuador has everything it takes to get past the group stage of the World Cup, just as it did in Germany in 2006. But beating Qatar was only the first step. In fact, that is the most accessible team in their group and now two stronger rivals are coming: Senegal and the Netherlands.

On the following date, Alfaro’s team will have to face the Dutch contender and succeeding will not be easy. Scoring at least one point could be very valuable. In any case, the key game will be on the last day.

“With this debut, Ecuador confirmed that it has a chance of winning the round of 16 spot and will play it with Senegal”Serrano says. “The two teams (the Netherlands and Senegal) are very complex rivals, but it is important to emphasize that with a draw with both, Ecuador will reach the goal of reaching the round of 16”adds Fredy Hidalgo.

Senegal, then, is the team to beat. But it will also be difficult to achieve, since it is nothing more and nothing less than the champion of Africa. Of course, what plays in favor of the Ecuadorians is that Sadio Mané, top figure of the African team, will be absent due to injury. In that sense, things are a little easier for the South Americans.

“I think Ecuador is on a firm footing to qualify. It will depend a lot, for example, if Senegal and the Netherlands tie, if Senegal can’t beat Qatar, which could be possible, because they don’t have their main figure. The decisive match will be at the end with Senegal. I very much doubt that Ecuador can have a chance against the Netherlands, but you can play with the remaining results to reach this last game with options to qualify ”analyzes Avila.

For now, jubilation has taken over the Ecuadorian nation. And is not for less. Starting off on the right foot is always important. Now it is necessary for the ‘Tri’ to focus on the next duels against two teams of a higher level than Qatar. Nothing is said yet. But there is much hope.