2022 World Cup: Ecuador beat hosts Qatar 2-0 - as it happened

FIFA WORLD CUP - QATAR 2022 ⚽️🇶🇦

Presented by Joseph Kizza
(Scroll down the page for earlier updates)
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9:01 pm  |    FULL TIME: Qatar 0-2 Ecuador 🇪🇨

It is going to be a long month of footballing action. That's it for now here. We will be back for more text commentary on Monday.

Here is what Group A looks like as it stands:

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8:59 pm  |    FULL TIME: Qatar 0-2 Ecuador 🇪🇨

And that's a deserved three points in the bag for Ecuador as they open their Group A campaign with victory, thanks to captain Enner Valencia's first-half brace.

Qatar, on the other hand, will have a lot of work to do as they become the first host nation of a World Cup to lose their opening match.

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8:57 pm 

90' (+3)  🇶🇦 Qatar 0-2 Ecuador 🇪🇨

Qatar won't score any goal if they continue to have to defend in stoppage time. Ecuador's Gonzalo Plata dips a cross into their box and the defence does well to intercept it.

It is yet another corner as they continue to search for a third.

From the resulting corner, Kevin Rodriguez should have done better work as his headed effort whistles wide of the mark.
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8:54 pm 

90'  🇶🇦 Qatar 0-2 Ecuador 🇪🇨

There will be five minutes of added time - just like was the case in the first half. Can the hosts produce something special here?

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8:53 pm 

89'  🇶🇦 Qatar 0-2 Ecuador 🇪🇨

The hosts are summoned back for more defending as Jeremy Sarmiento delivers a cross into the area, only for the ball to be cleared for a corner. The resulting take does not bear fruit.
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8:50 pm 

86'  🇶🇦 Qatar 0-2 Ecuador 🇪🇨

Profligacy from Qatar's Mohammed Muntari as he wastes a chance he may not get again in this game whose flame is fast dying out. His shot from the edge of the area whistles just over the bar.  A little lower and that should have gone in.
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8:46 pm 

82'  🇶🇦 Qatar 0-2 Ecuador 🇪🇨

Ecuador's Gonzalo Plata swings in a cross from a free kick but no-one inside the box can connect, which sees the ball float out of play for a home goal kick. Could have sealed the deal there.

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8:42 pm  |   🟨  YELLOW CARD - Afif (Qatar)

78'  🇶🇦 Qatar 0-2 Ecuador 🇪🇨

Akram Afif does not escape the referee's book. He is yellowcarded for roughing up his opponent.
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8:36 pm  |   🔁  Double substitution (Qatar)

72'  🇶🇦 Qatar 0-2 Ecuador 🇪🇨

It is a double change for the hosts as we enter the final 20 minutes of the game. Ecuador are on course for their first three points of this campaign. Mohammed Muntari replaces Almoez Ali while Mohammed Waad comes on in place of Hassan Alhaydos.

This is Ecuador's fourth World Cup - they previously took part in 2002, 2006 and 2014, although this will be the first time their opening game at the tournament involves a team outside Europe.
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8:30 pm 

66'  🇶🇦 Qatar 0-2 Ecuador 🇪🇨

It's fair to say that Ecuador's goalkeeper Hernan Galindez has had much to do in this opening game.

Ecuador have been dominant throughout, restricting the hosts, who have not had a shot on target yet.

Regardless of the scoreline, the home fans will have something to cheer about: Qatar is the first nation in the Gulf to host the World Cup.

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8:24 pm 

60'  🇶🇦 Qatar 0-2 Ecuador 🇪🇨

Ecuador defender Angelo Preciado is in pain. Not immediately clear what happened, but he needs offpitch treatment, as his side play with a man short.

Meanwhile, the hosts appear to have sensed the personnel advantage and launch an attack. Pedro Miguel gets on the end of a whipped-in cross, but his header is wide of the mark. Uhs and ahs from the home crowd.
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8:21 pm 

57'  🇶🇦 Qatar 0-2 Ecuador 🇪🇨

Qatar's Abdulaziz Hatem concedes a freekick when he catches a twisting and turning Gonzalo Plata. The referee saw that one.
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8:19 pm 

55'  🇶🇦 Qatar 0-2 Ecuador 🇪🇨

Ecuador's Argentinian coach Gustavo Alfaro will be happier with how his side have put their heads back into this game.

But it almost gets worse, as he watches midfielder Romario Ibarra allowed to turn inside the area to test Saad Al-Sheeb - but the Qatar keeper gloves the goal-bound effort away. That was nearly three.

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8:14 pm 

50'  🇶🇦 Qatar 0-2 Ecuador 🇪🇨

Ecuador are not sitting back though. Michael Estrada slaps on the afterburners on the left flank, racing in to thread a pass into the danger zone. But the Qatari back is alert to the danger and clear.
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8:12 pm 

48'  🇶🇦 Qatar 0-2 Ecuador 🇪🇨

Qatar seem to be more composed at the start here. More in control than their first half performance. Sme good ol' pep talk worked, it seems. Much, much better from Al Annabi (The Maroon).
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8:11 pm  |    KICKOFF! Qatar 0-2 Ecuador 🇪🇨

Action resumes inside an effervescent Al Bayt Stadium, with both sides unchanged. Can the hosts recover from that opening half implosion?
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8:00 pm  |    HALF TIME: Qatar 0-2 Ecuador 🇪🇨

It has been a very physical contest so far.

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7:54 pm  |    HALF TIME: Qatar 0-2 Ecuador 🇪🇨

And that's it. The hosts have been poor and it is no surprise they are trailing at the break.
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7:53 pm  |    CLOSE!  - Qatar (Ali)

45' (+5)  🇶🇦 Qatar 0-2 Ecuador 🇪🇨

Almoez Ali nearly pulls one back for the hosts, but his header from a beautiful cross in from the right does not connect, with Ecuador goalkeeper Hernan Galindez, who has been largely unemployed in this opening half, virtually beaten.

Should have been 1-2. That was the last action of this dramatic start to this tournament.
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7:47 pm 

45' 🇶🇦 Qatar 0-2 Ecuador 🇪🇨

There will be five minutes of added time in this one.
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7:45 pm  |     💥 OUCH! - Ecuador (Valencia)

43' 🇶🇦 Qatar 0-2 Ecuador 🇪🇨

As you would expect, Ecuador's talisman is man under close scrunity from the home players. Again, he goes down after appearing to be stepped on the ankle by Karim Boudiaf.

That has stung, and a stretcher is summoned, only for the medical team to be told it won't be needed. The captain gets back up, but he is still in pain.
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7:38 pm  |     💥 OUCH! - Ecuador (Valencia)

36' 🇶🇦 Qatar 0-2 Ecuador 🇪🇨

The goalscorer (Enner Valencia) is brought down by midfielder Karim Boudiaf. The Ecuador skipper stays down for some time as the offender is shown a yellow.

Qatar are not doing themselves any favours at the moment as half time approaches. Plenty to think about for home coach Felix Sanchez, who stands on the touchline with arms folded.
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7:33 pm  |     ⚽️ GOAL! - Ecuador (Valencia)

31' 🇶🇦 Qatar 0-2 Ecuador 🇪🇨

Oh my! The hosts cannot cope with this resplendent Ecuador side. Enner Valencia is again the targetted man, as he spears a header past an outstretched Saad Al-Sheeb to improve the scoreline - and complete his brace here.

What a performance! Far from what the home crowd want(ed) to see.

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7:31 pm  |     🟨  YELLOW CARD - Caicedo (Ecuador)

29' 🇶🇦 Qatar 0-1 Ecuador 🇪🇨

Ecuador midfielder Moises Caicedo is the next player to be booked.
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7:27 pm 

25' 🇶🇦 Qatar 0-1 Ecuador 🇪🇨

Qatar are the reigning Asian champions. They had a 100% record at this stadium at last year's FIFA Arab Cup. They are trailing in this contest. Can they claw their way back into it? The fans believe.
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7:24 pm  |     🟨  YELLOW CARD - Ali (Qatar)

22' 🇶🇦 Qatar 0-1 Ecuador 🇪🇨

Almoez Ali goes in referee Daniele Orsato for a foul on goalscorer and Ecuador skipper Enner Valencia. The hosts needn't lose their heads now.

We are halfway into this opening half.
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7:22 pm  |     💥 OUCH! - Clash of keeper and player

20' 🇶🇦 Qatar 0-1 Ecuador 🇪🇨

Qatar are living dangerously and are labouring to gain any control of this contest. It is all Ecuador, and they attack again. But Michael Estrada clashes with goalkeeper Saad Al-Sheeb right in the goalmouth.

Freekick to the home side as the two players struggle back on their feet.
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7:18 pm  |     ⚽️ GOAL! - Ecuador (Valencia)

He does not miss those, Enner Valencia, his composed penalty sending the home keeper the wrong way. What composure!

He had his earlier goal disallowed but he will not be denied this time.

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7:16 pm  |     14' PENALTY🇶🇦 Qatar 0-0 Ecuador 🇪🇨

Trouble for the hosts again, as Saad Al-Sheeb brings down Ecuador captain Enner Valencia as he blasts through the home defence.
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7:14 pm 

12' 🇶🇦 Qatar 0-0 Ecuador 🇪🇨

Visually, it is the stuff you apply on a hot dog here - Qatar are wearing maroon while Ecuador have gone with an all-mustard look in this bubbly contest.

Another freekick for La Tri down the left flank. It is swept into the danger area, but it is dealt with effectively, drawing vocal approval from the largely home crowd.

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7:09 pm  |    ⚽️❌ DISALLOWED GOAL!   🇶🇦 Qatar 0-0 Ecuador 🇪🇨

Relief for the shell-shocked hosts. Michael Estrada was slightly offside in the buildup. What a start!
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7:06 pm  |    ⚽️ GOAL!   🇶🇦 Qatar 0-1 Ecuador 🇪🇨

And just like that, Ecuador have drawn first blood! Captain Enner Valencia heads the South Americans in front after a scramble inside Saad Al-Sheeb's box.

Hold up. There is a VAR check.
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7:04 pm  |    KICKOFF!   🇶🇦 Qatar 0-0 Ecuador 🇪🇨

Plenty of flying tackles to get us started.  Pedro Miguel sweeps Moises Caicedo and that will be a freekick for Ecuador.
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7:02 pm  |    KICKOFF!   🇶🇦 Qatar 0-0 Ecuador 🇪🇨

At 13 of the previous 21 World Cups, the hosts have made it to the semi-finals. Can Qatar make it 14?

First, they will have to negotiate this tricky group-stage obstacle course. The quest starts now. No host nation has ever lost their opening match of a World Cup.

Italian referee Daniele Orsato blows the game to life inside a packed, effervescent Al Bayt Stadium. Game on!

Some people have gathered outside to watch a live broadcast of the match.

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6:55 pm  |    'Let the show begin' - FIFA boss

🇶🇦 Qatar v Ecuador 🇪🇨 (7pm)

As both sets of players prepare to emerge from the dugout, FIFA president Gianni Infantino takes the mic to make brief remarks.

"Welcome to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. Welcome to celebrate football because football unites the world. And now, let us welcome the teams and let the show begin."
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6:49 pm  |    Do you trust your mathematics?

🇶🇦 Qatar v Ecuador 🇪🇨 (7pm)

The University of Oxford has a say in this.

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6:30 pm  |    The starting lineups

🇶🇦 Qatar v Ecuador 🇪🇨 (7pm)

Here is how the two teams are starting this evening . . .

QATAR:

Saad Al-Sheeb (GK)
Pedro Miguel 
Abdelkarim Hassan
Homam Ahmed
Bassam Hisham
Boualem Khoukhi
Abdulaziz Hatem
Hassan Alhaydos (C)
Karim Boudiaf
Akram Afif
Almoez Ali

ECUADOR:

Hernan Galindez (GK)
Felix Torres
Piero Hincapie
Pervis Estupinan
Angelo Preciado
Romario Ibarra
Gonzalo Plata
Jhegson Mendez
Moises Caicedo
Michael Estrada
Enner Valencia
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6:12 pm  |    🇶🇦 Qatar v Ecuador 🇪🇨 (7pm)

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani delivers his speech in Arabic. I do not pick a word he says, unfortunately. What I do get, though, is him welcoming everyone to this special edition of the World Cup (he says that in English at the end of his brief speech).

What a beautiful opening ceremony... And THAT iconic voice by Morgan Freedom. Oh my!

Well, and with that, let the attention now shift to the little matter of an opening game. Adrenaline rush!

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6:05 pm  |    🇶🇦 Qatar v Ecuador 🇪🇨 (7pm)

A splendid display . . .

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5:55 pm  |    🇶🇦 Qatar v Ecuador 🇪🇨 (7pm)

Yep, this is what opening ceremonies are all about: colour, music, dancing - great performances and jaw-dropping choreography. Qatar has not disappointed one bit. From paying tribute to the nations taking part here to taking us down memory lane with World Cup theme songs of past editions.

The crowds inside the dimly-lit Al Bayt Stadium - and millions others watching remotely - are definitely loving this masterpiece!

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5:42 pm  |    OPENING CEREMONY UNDER WAY

🇶🇦 Qatar v Ecuador 🇪🇨 (7pm)

The opening ceremony has began, with US actor Morgan Freeman lending his unmistakeable voice to what is unfolding into an elaborate visual presentation. You can tell there has been months and years of preparation pumped into this.

Meticulous!

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5:34 pm  |    History favours Qatar

🇶🇦 Qatar v Ecuador 🇪🇨 (7pm)

French former football player Marcel Desailly has displayed the FIFA World Cup trophy inside the filling Al Bayt Stadium.

Attendees continue to take their seats in time for the opening ceremony.

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5:23 pm  |    History favours Qatar

🇶🇦 Qatar v Ecuador 🇪🇨 (7pm)

Here is how the World Cup hosts performed in their respective opening matches in the last four editions:

2018: Russia thumped Saudi Arabia 5-0
2014: Brazil beat Croatia 3-1
2010: South Africa produced a 1-1 result against Mexico
2006: Germany defeated Costa Rica 4-2
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5:08 pm  |    Fans are more than ready!

🇶🇦 Qatar v Ecuador 🇪🇨 (7pm)

Speaking of temperatures, the fans of both camps are bubbly and in high spirits just outside the magnificent Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, north of Qatar's capital Doha.

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5:00 pm  |    Kickoff two hours away

🇶🇦 Qatar v Ecuador 🇪🇨 (7pm)

Two hours to a historic World Cup kickoff. Don't rub your eyes - yes, it's November and we are having the World Cup. Strange but true.

Football fever. Christmas fever. The temperature is quite high. In a pleasant way.

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4:59 pm  |    🇶🇦 Qatar v Ecuador 🇪🇨 (7pm)

Hassan al-Haydos and Enner Valencia will be looking to inspire their respective teams - Qatar and Ecuador - to a first three points of this tournament.

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4:57 pm  |    Five substitutions allowed

🇶🇦 Qatar v Ecuador 🇪🇨 (7pm)

Rules are rules, and football has many of them. For this World Cup, there are guidelines that teams must adhere to.

For instance, up to 15 substitutes and 11 team officials (that is, a maximum of 26 people) – one of whom must be the team doctor – will be allowed to sit on the team bench during matches.

During matches, coaches can make five substitutions, which is two more than at the previous edition in Russia. This is a decision that was permanently approved by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) at its 136th Annual General Meeting in June.

IFAB is the body that determines the laws of the game of association football.
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4:53 pm  |    Quoted 💬

🇶🇦 Qatar v Ecuador 🇪🇨 (7pm)

Ecuador's Argentine head coach Gustavo Alfaro: "I am privileged to bear my country's dreams on my shoulders together with these players - not only playing the World Cup, but also playing the opening match."

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4:49 pm  |    Quoted 💬

🇶🇦 Qatar v Ecuador 🇪🇨 (7pm)

Qatar's Spanish head coach Felix Sanchez: "I am not saying we are going to win the World Cup, but we will put in a performance of the highest level."

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4:44 pm  |    Al-Haydos relishes dream-come-true 💬

🇶🇦 Qatar v Ecuador 🇪🇨 (7pm)

Qatar's Hassan Al-Haydos says being captain of his national team is "a dream I have always had" and that he has "always wanted to represent the Arab countries".

"This is a dream I have had since I started to play football both at club and international levels," he says in an interview with world football governing body FIFA in the leadup to the start of the World Cup.

"I am very honoured to be the captain of the Qatar team and that it is the first time the country takes part in the tournament. Besides being proud, I also feel the burden of responsibility. God willing, we hope to do our best throughout the tournament."

The 31-year-old skipper, who plays for Qatari club Al Sadd, adds: "Of course any footballer in the world would feel [the] pressure. I try to convert any negative feelings into something way more positive. I like to see the positive side of pressure so that I can give my best to the national team.

"No doubt, it is a very special role. We need to try to use that pressure positively as an asset on the pitch. Players have lots of needs. For example, our fans play a big role for us. They give us a huge support in the stadium, they motivate us.

"In this way, when we get that positive atmosphere, we feel we can do our best."
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4:37 pm  |    Probable starting XIs

🇶🇦 Qatar v Ecuador 🇪🇨 (7pm)

The two camps - Qatar and Ecuador - had their respective training sessions on the eve of their opener. The hosts had theirs at the Aspire training site in Doha while Ecuador were at Essaimer SC, also in Qatar's capital.  But what will their starting lineups look like. For now, here is what we think:

Qatar: Saad Alsheeb, Boualem Khoukhi, Bassam Alrawi, Abdelkarim Hassan, Pedro Miguel, Abdulaziz Hatem, Hassan Al-Haydos, Karim Boudiaf, Homam Ahmed, Almoez Ali, Akram Afif

Ecuador: Alexander Dominguez, Robert Arboleda, Felix Torres, Piero Hincapie, Pervis Estupinan, Jhegson Mendez, Moises Caicedo, Gonzalo Plata, Jose Cifuentes, Romario Ibarra, Enner Valencia

No worries though, we shall get the confirmed XIs when they are available.
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4:30 pm  |    🇶🇦 Qatar v Ecuador 🇪🇨 (7pm)

Senegal, who will be without their injured star man Sadio Mane, will open their campaign against the Netherlands on Monday at 7pm.

They will play from Al Thumama Stadium (pictured below) in Qatar's capital Doha.

This evening, though, it is Al Bayt Stadium (below) that is soaking up all the attention.

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4:25 pm  |    🇶🇦 Qatar v Ecuador 🇪🇨 (7pm)

There are eight groups of four teams (A-H) for this tournament's first round. The opening game today is a Group A duel. Reigning African champions, Senegal, and the Netherlands are also in this group.

Netherlands (8th) are the highest-ranked side in this group, followed by Senegal (18th), Ecuador (44th) and Qatar (50th).

The hosts may be the lowest-ranked team of this lot, but we know - and have seen - the wonders of playing at home surrounded by your own fans. Can Qatar take advantage of this and send shockwaves through the tournament?

For now, though, it is a clean slate:

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4:20 pm  |    Head to head

🇶🇦 Qatar v Ecuador 🇪🇨 (7pm)

Qatar and Ecuador will be facing each other for the very first time at the World Cup. 

But the two nations have played against each other three times before, all of them friendlies - their two meetings in 1996 ended 1-1 and 2-1 (in favour of Ecuador). They faced off again 22 years later, Qatar winning 4-3 in 2018. So, make that a win apiece and a draw for both sides.

Meanwhile, the two teams have had some World Cup buildup action. 

Qatar have played a total of 21 friendly matches (official and unofficial) since March this year, winning 10, drawing eight and losing three. Their last game was a 1-0 win over Albania earlier in November in the Spanish city of Marbella.

It has been a less busy 2022 for Ecuador. They have played six friendlies since June, winning two of them and drawing (goalless) in four. Their last pre-World Cup match was a dead rubber against Iraq in the Spanish city of Madrid eight days ago.
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4:12 pm  |    Orsato the man in charge

🇶🇦 Qatar v Ecuador 🇪🇨 (7pm)

Referee Daniele Orsato will be the man in charge of the eagerly-awaited opening game between hosts Qatar and Ecuador.

For keen followers of the UEFA Champions League, for instance, this face is not new, right?

The 46-year-old Italian is a familiar figure in Europe's premier tournament, having started refereeing in the Champions League in the 2012-13 season. In fact, he dished out a total of 10 yellow cards in the game between English side Manchester United and French outfit PSG (6 and 4, respectively) on February 12, 2019. In that game, he also sent off United's Paul Pogba one minute before the end of regulation time.

Orsato, who became a FIFA referee in 2010, handled the 2020 UEFA Champions League final between PSG and German giants Bayern Munich, which the latter won by 1-0.

So yep, that's the man charged with this evening's World Cup starter in Al Khor. He will be assisted by Ciro Carbone and Alessandro Giallatini as the linesmen, with Istvan Kovacs the fourth official.
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4:00 pm  |    Opening day of the World Cup

🇶🇦 Qatar v Ecuador 🇪🇨 (7pm)

Hello everyone. Welcome to our text commentary as we turn our attention to Qatar's coastal city of Al Khor, where, not long from now, the opening ceremony - and later the opening match - of this unique edition of the FIFA World Cup will unfold inside the glamorous Al Bayt Stadium.

We are building up to the moment every football lover has been waiting for, with the weight of expectation weighing down heavily on hosts Qatar as they get set to face Ecuador in the first of 64 games to be played in this month-long tournament.

This edition of football's flagship tournament is one of a couple of firsts. To begin with, it is the first FIFA World Cup to be held in the Arab world (and the second tournament held entirely in Asia after the 2002 edition in South Korea and Japan).

It is also the first tournament not to be held in May, June or July. This one is in November and December. Why is this, you wonder? It is because of Qatar's sweltering summer heat. With a desert climate, the Arab nation experiences a lengthy summer from May until September, marked by intense dry heat and with temperatures shooting above 45°C (113°F). That's extremely hot and it, therefore, wouldn't be ideal weather for a tournament bringing together people from all walks of life, would it? So the organisers thought it wise to schedule it for a relatively cooler time of the year.

Another first, specifically for the hosts, is that they are playing their first ever World Cup.

Well, apart from it being a first in some ways, the Qatar edition will be the last to feature 32 teams. Starting with the next World Cup that will be jointly hosted in three North American countries (Canada, Mexico and the US) in 2026, the number of participating nations will be bumped up to 48. 

Interesting, huh? Do you think having more teams will affect the quality of the competition?

Anyways, four years - since the last edition in Russia - seem to have flown past very fast, not so? The wait for a smorgasbord of tasty international football is finally over, as we count down to the opening ceremony this evening and then the real action of the 22nd edition of the FIFA World Cup. The defending champions, France (in Group D), are back on a quest to defend their title, but there will be plenty of hungry teams eyeing the same prize. Who are you betting on to take this year's title? Will it remain in Paris? Do you see some shocks?

Meanwhile, there is African interest, coming in the form of three nations from West Africa and two from the north side of the continent: Senegal, Cameroon, Ghana, Tunisia and Morocco. No African team has ever won the World Cup.

Is this THE year?