Qatar’s first ever World Cup match ended in dismay for an overmatched team and with a place in unwanted soccer history.
The controversy-laced tournament opened Sunday with Qatar getting outplayed and embarrassed in a 2-0 loss to Ecuador in front of 67,372 fans at Al Bayt Stadium.The first World Cup in the Middle East is a chance for Qatar, a tiny Arab country jutting out into the Persian Gulf, to showcase itself to the wider world.
The yearslong scrutiny was never going to stop just because play on the field finally entered the narrative of a tournament dogged by human rights controversies, yet a win for the host nation would have at least put a favorable light on Qatar, soccer-wise. Ecuador did take the lead, however, in the 16th minute when Valencia was tripped by Saad Alsheeb after rounding the goalkeeper, who was booked for the challenge. Valencia was nonchalant as he trotted up and converted the spot kick into the bottom corner.
There were lots of empty seats for a second half that was almost a damage-limitation exercise for Qatar on one of the biggest nights in the nation’s history.
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Controversial offside call in Ecuador-Qatar World Cup match has VAR under fire againThe call stunned a lot of people who were watching from around the world.
Read more »
Day 1 at World Cup 2022: Opening ceremony dazzles as Qatar face EcuadorThe World Cup in Qatar officially kicked off on Sunday. CTVNews.ca takes a look at everything you need to know on Day One.
Read more »
Qatar to open Mideast's first World Cup before leaders, fansQatar prepared Sunday to open the Middle East's first FIFA World Cup before global leaders and soccer fans now pouring into this energy-rich nation after being battered by a regional boycott and international criticism.
Read more »
Budweiser World Cup campaign curbed, not crashed, by Qatar beer banBRUSSELS — A last\u002Dminute decision to ban the sale of alcohol at Qatar’s World Cup stadiums will seriously limit Budweiser sales in the Gulf state, but will not…
Read more »
Canada Soccer's Earl Cochrane addresses human rights concerns at Qatar World CupThe general secretary of Canada Soccer says the organization is renewing its call for improved labour rights in Qatar after the governing sports body was criticized for its 'deafening silence' on fair compensation for migrant workers.
Read more »
FIFA WORLD CUP: Looking at what Canada’s up against in QatarWith the FIFA World Cup just days away, RobWong34 previews the tournament with National Soccer Columnist DerekVanDiest. They chat about the status of Alphonso Davies, Canada's chances in Group F and more.
Read more »