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The 2022 World Cup got underway on Sunday with host Qatar falling to Ecuador 2-0. Enner Valencia got things going with a brace to take an unlikely lead in the race for the Golden Boot. Pacing La Tri, will Valencia be able to keep things going to push Ecuador out of Group A? Harry Kane is the favorite for the Golden Boot but with Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi, and more top strikers in Qatar it will be a race down to the wire.
Valencia’s opening goal of the match came after controversy. Only five minutes into the match he seemed to have scored but the goal was judged to be offside after an automated VAR decision. But Valencia rounded Qatari keeper Saad Al Sheeb and was brought down for a penalty kick. He wouldn’t miss from the spot rolling his penalty home for a goal in the 16th minute. It wouldn’t take long for the 33 year old to double his tally with an excellent header in the 31st minute. Following an excellent cross from right back Angelo Preciado, Valencia had work to do with his finish but his experience paid to put La Tri ahead by two goals before the half.
Here are the goals:
From the penalty spot.
Excellence for a second goal.
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World Cup statistics
Matches played: 1/64Total goals scored: 2 Goals per match: 2Minutes per goal: 45Braces scored: 1Hat tricks scored: 0Own goals: 0Penalty kicks: 1Penalty success rate: 100% (1/1)
Ecuador has the early stat leads after blanking Qatar with Valencia grabbing a brace but who can join them?
Player stats
Goals
Assists
Clean sheets