[Qatar World Cup] 'Multi-goal' Valencia, Scorer of 1st and 2nd Goals in 2022 World Cup

Ecuador Ends First Half 2-0 Thanks to Valencia's Performance

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] In the World Cup opening match, 'Ecuador captain' Enner Valencia (33, Fenerbahce) became the protagonist by scoring multiple goals.

On the 21st (Korean time), Ecuador finished the first half 2-0 against the host nation Qatar in the opening match of Group A at the 2022 FIFA Qatar World Cup held at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, thanks to Valencia's performance.

Ecuador dominated Qatar in terms of performance. Valencia scored the opening goal just 2 minutes into the first half, but the goal was canceled after a VAR review ruled it offside before the scoring moment. However, Valencia soon earned a penalty kick in the 14th minute of the first half while dribbling past the goalkeeper and took the penalty kick himself.

Perfectly deceiving the opposing goalkeeper, Valencia successfully scored with an inside right-foot shot into the right corner of the goal, becoming the scorer of the first goal of the 2022 Qatar World Cup. Additionally, through this goal, Valencia set the record for the most goals scored by an Ecuadorian player in the World Cup finals.

In the 31st minute of the first half, Valencia scored a multi-goal by heading a cross from the back towards the lower left side of Qatar's goal. With Valencia becoming the scorer of the first and second goals of the Qatar World Cup, Ecuador is on the verge of winning the opening match.

Valencia is the all-time top scorer for the Ecuador national team, having scored 3 goals in 3 matches during the 2014 Brazil World Cup. Having played for Premier League clubs West Ham United and Everton, as well as Mexico's Tigres UANL, Valencia has been actively performing since joining Turkey's Fenerbahce in the summer of 2020.

Meanwhile, Qatar ended the first half trailing Ecuador by 2 goals, missing even a header attempt from a cross just before the half-time whistle.