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World cup: Valencia brace enough to beat Qatar in World cup opener

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World cup: Valencia brace enough to beat Qatar in World cup opener

Host nation Qatar lost 0 – 2 in their World Cup opening match against Ecuador on Sunday thanks to a brace by Enner Valencia,  as the month-long football showpiece finally got underway after a tortuous 12-year build-up dogged by off-field controversies.

Former West Ham striker Enner Valencia appeared to have put the South American side ahead with a header following a free kick only for Daniele Orsato to be told that there was an offside in the build-up.

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But not to be denied, Valencia went on to score the tournament’s opening goal against the host nation as he converted from the spot.

He completed his brace in the 31st minute with a header

It was a hugely disappointing evening for Qatar, which was playing its first World Cup match. The hosts looked out of sorts early and turned to rough play in an attempt to gain and keep the ball. It didn’t work, and fans reportedly departed in droves long before the closing whistle.

Qatar became the first host nation to ever lose its opening match in the World Cup.

Teams that win their opening World Cup match have advanced to the knockout round 84 percent of the time since 1998.

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