RECORD BREAKER: Qatar Become First Host Nation to Lose World Cup Opening Game

The 2022 Qatar World Cup opening game saw the host country become the first on to lose an opener in the history of the world’s largest sporting event. In the opening match, Ecuador beat Qatar 2-0. 

The World Cup has been around for a total of 92 years. Hosts have won 16 opening games while six others have recorded draws in their opening games.

Enner Valencia hit double in the first game of the 2022 World Cup played before 60,000 football lovers at the Al Bayt Stadium. Ecuador’s Valencia had his header ruled out by VAR as an offside.

The cancellation of Valencia’s goal did not dampen Ecuador’s mood. In the 16th minute, Valencia scored the tournament’s first goal, a penalty. Valencia would also score the second and final goal of the game.

Qatar will play Senegal on Friday, a game they need to win to increase their chances of going through to the next round — otherwise they might follow South Africa, the 2010 host, to become the second World Cup host to fail to make it out of the tourney’s first round.