The opening game of the first World Cup staged in the Arab world is taking place at the Bedouin tent-inspired Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, 50 kilometres (31 miles) outside of Doha.

In about 17 minutes after the commencement of the match, Ecuador Ecuador Qatar 1-0 through penalty.

Qatar’s goalkeeper Saad Al Sheeb eyes the ball as Ecuador’s forward Enner Valencia (out of frame) scores his team’s first goal from the penalty spot during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group A football match between Qatar and Ecuador at the Al-Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, north of Doha on November 20, 2022. (Photo by Odd ANDERSEN / AFP)

Ecuador had earlier scored Qatar about five minutes after the match began, but was flagged as offside.

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Enner Valencia scored the tournament’s opening goal against host nation as he converted from the spot after the VAR had controversially disallowed his opening goal.

He scored his penalty and grabbed a second with a fine header before half time.

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