The football world wondered about the level of Al-Annabi (the Bordeaux), who have been preparing almost behind closed doors for six months to make a success of their great debut at this level. Everyone could see that the Asian champion, perhaps paralyzed by the challenge, did not make the weight.
For its fourth participation, Ecuador hastened to seize the opportunity. After a goal disallowed for an offside that should make people talk (3rd), the “Tricolor” quickly found the opening (16th), then made the break (31st) in the spectacular Al-Bayt stadium, whose architecture mimics a Bedouin tent.
“We didn’t play as we should in the first half hour and there were mistakes,” admitted goalkeeper Saad Al Sheeb, particularly rough under the eyes of the current and former Emirs, artisans of the Qatari World Cup, and in front of many Heads of State.
Already in form with Fenerbahçe, Enner Valencia provoked and converted a penalty, then widened the gap with a powerful header. The striker with 75 selections now has 37 achievements … including five in the World Cup.
Hit in one leg just before half-time, the Ecuadorian tormentor was however replaced by limping in the 76th minute. “I took a little hit, he explained after the meeting. The doctors will examine me and I hope to be able to help the team” against the Netherlands on Friday (5:00 p.m.).
– “Maybe nervousness” –
On his bench, Qatari coach Félix Sanchez Bas, trained at the Barcelona school, seemed dismayed. Just like the majority of the 67,372 spectators, won over to the cause of the host country but cooled by this catastrophic scenario more than by the air conditioning of the stands, which is controversial in Europe.
“We didn’t play at our best level. Maybe it was nervousness,” noted the Spanish technician, believing that his men have “great potential for improvement”.
Organized as usual in 3-4-3 and in difficulty behind their backs, regularly overtaken and little reassured by their goalkeeper, the Bordeaux suffered to exist in the first act and waited for stoppage time to show a better face. . Facing the goal, striker Almoez Ali was unable to frame his whim.
Less unbalanced, the second period was also less animated, while the stands were somewhat sparse at the break to end up almost empty. But by playing at a slow trot, Ecuador, whose game seemed more established despite the substitutions, did not manage to increase their lead.
Unable to react, the Qataris find themselves in a delicate situation in group A after this indigestible aperitif against the opponent closest to them and while they still have to face the Senegalese (Friday) and Dutch (November 29 ).
The pre-match was marked by an Olympic-style opening ceremony, with American actor Morgan Freeman as narrator and a message of “respect and inclusion”, amid recurring criticism of the emirate in respect of human rights.