• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Qatar becomes first FIFA World Cup host nation to lose their opening game

Home> Football

Updated 22:56 20 Nov 2022 GMTPublished 22:57 20 Nov 2022 GMT

Qatar becomes first FIFA World Cup host nation to lose their opening game

The nation has earned the disappointing honour after their 2-0 loss to Ecuador.

Rachel Lang

Rachel Lang

Qatar has earned the unfortunate distinction of becoming the first FIFA World Cup host nation to lose the opening game of the tournament in history.

They suffered a 2-0 loss against Ecuador at Al Bayt Stadium in what was their first ever game at a FIFA World Cup.

The controversial match opened the World Cup on Sunday (November 20), earning Qatar the unwanted title of the first hosting nation in the cup's 92-year history to lose its opening game, according to NPR.

Karim Boudiaf of Qatar dribbles the ball during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group A match between Qatar and Ecuador.
UK Sports Pics Ltd / Alamy

The controversial game got sports fans talking after contentious VAR call with Ecuador saw their opening goal ruled out for offside.

Advert

With just three minutes on the clock, Ecuador won a free kick inside the Qatari half.

From the resulting kick, Enner Valencia was found in space to head in the first goal of the 2022 World Cup.

After the lengthy VAR check, the goal was ruled out due to offside.

But many fans felt Ecuador were hard done by as the replay doesn’t show a clear breach of the offside rule.

Advert

Either way, it made no difference to Qatar's score of zero.

Qatar's side, despite spending seven months together honing their skills in a pre-tournament training camp under the watchful eye of Spanish coach Felix Sanchez, froze in front of crowds.

The more disciplined team of Ecuador proceeded to run rings around them, hinting that they might pose a challenge to the more high-profile sides in the coming weeks.

NPR reported that although footballers ran onto the pitch in front of bustling crowds, fans began to empty the stadium midway through the second half.

Advert

Fans left their seats bare midway through the second half.
FotoArena/Alamy Live News

Qatar’s Spanish coach Felix Sanchez spoke to the press following Qatar's blistering defeat.

"Truth be told, I have enough work to do to take a look at it," Sanchez said of the empty seats, as per Seven News.

"We felt backed and supported and we hope for the next game, people will feel prouder and keep supporting us to the end of the tournament.

Advert

"The atmosphere was great, people were very much looking forward to this game."

Qatar will next take on Senegal in Group A on Friday, on the same day Ecuador faces off with the Netherlands.

Featured Image Credit: Foto Arena LTDA / Alamy. UK Sports Pics Ltd / Alamy.

Topics: Football, Qatar, Football World Cup, Ecuador

Rachel Lang
Rachel Lang

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • FIFA 'ignore' important football rule during Club World Cup final between Chelsea and PSG
  • FIFA and Donald Trump make bold decision amid fears 2026 World Cup could be plunged into chaos
  • FIFA told to take immediate action after PSG fans discover who will referee their Club World Cup semi-final vs Real Madrid
  • First non-host nation seals place at 2026 World Cup before most have even kicked a ball in qualifying

Choose your content:

29 mins ago
2 hours ago
3 hours ago
  • 29 mins ago

    Newcastle stance on Alexander Isak transfer to Liverpool emerges after huge bid submitted for Hugo Ekitike

    Newcastle are in the market for one of Europe's most sought-after strikers.

    Football
  • 2 hours ago

    Cole Palmer drops the coldest three-word message on Instagram after Donald Trump controversy at Club World Cup final

    Palmer and his Chelsea team-mates celebrated their Club World Cup success with an unexpected visitor.

    Football
  • 2 hours ago

    Rodrygo sends Chelsea fans into meltdown with Instagram comment after Club World Cup final win

    The Real Madrid star's comment has some Chelsea fans seriously excited.

    Football
  • 3 hours ago

    Benjamin Sesko drops massive hint on his next club after Arsenal rejection and it's caught everyone off guard

    The RB Leipzig star has been strongly linked with several big clubs this summer.

    Football