Qatar becomes first host nation to lose opening World Cup game

This is the first time this has happened in the tournament's 92-year history

After a 2-0 loss by Ecuador on Sunday, Qatar became the first World Cup host nation to lose its opening game. The Arabian fans' hopes were dashed. As the 2022 FIFA World Cup host lost their opening match to Ecuador. The South American team defeated the host at Doha's Al Bayt Stadium. The Qatari team has gone with the Asian curse since no Asian side has ever won their world cup opener.

Qatar and Ecuador are in Group A with the Netherlands and Senegal. The two countries last met in October 2018, with Qatar winning 4-3. The Arab country was embroiled in a scandal on Saturday. Just days ahead of their World Cup opener against Ecuador.

Alleged bribery

Amjad Taha, a strategic political affairs expert and regional manager of the British Center in Saudi Arabia, said that Qatar paid eight Ecuadorian players $7.4 million to lose the match.

VAR controversy

However, as the game went on, it became increasingly doubtful that the teams had been bribed, as Ecuador's Enner Valencia netted a goal in two-minute before being called offside by VAR.

VAR determined that the ball fell to Michael Estrada, whose leg was situated in an offside position. However, During the first 14 mins of the match, Qatar was under pressure. Finally, after defeating Valencia, the host country's Saad Al Sheeb became the first player to be booked in the tournament's 2022 edition. Valencia scored the tournament's first goal after converting a penalty kick.

Furthermore, Valencia netted in to make it 2-0 with a thunderous header in the 31st minute. The goal was given following a VAR review and Ecuador won the opening game 2-0.