Who’d have believed something suspicious like that would’ve happened?
Qatar were saved minutes into their World Cup opener against Ecuador after the away side’s goal was ruled out for offside.
Enner Valencia thought he had given the South Americans the lead following some questionable defending from Qatar which allowed the former West Ham forward to head home from close range.
Celebrations were muted however though as VAR intervened before ruling out the goal for offside, much to the confusion of everyone, who struggled to see where the offside was.
“Yes, that is not offside. 5 minutes into the World Cup, are you kidding?” one fan wrote.
https://twitter.com/PoorEPLreferees/status/1594362311334133760
Another tweeted: “The Ecuador goal against Qatar getting disallowed by VAR for literally no reason.”
The Ecuador goal against Qatar getting disallowed by VAR for literally no reason pic.twitter.com/EIMDVTRITP
— Alexei (@MUFC_redarmy99) November 20, 2022
A third said: “Will we get a proper VAR replay of the offside in the Ecuador goal? Struggling as much as Dion Dublin to work out why it’s been ruled out.”
Luckily for Ecuador their opener being ruled out didn’t affect them for long as they were awarded a penalty 10 minutes later as Valencia ran through on goal before being tripped by the Qatar ‘keeper.
No VAR was going to rule this spot kick out either and despite the frustration of missing out, Valencia was able to confidently dispatch from 12 yards and give Ecuador a well-deserved lead.
The first goal of the #FIFAWorldCup has come from the penalty spot!#BBCFootball #BBCWorldCup https://t.co/BLnogzARhQ
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) November 20, 2022
Qatar are playing in their first-ever World Cup finals with 10 of the starting 11 in the side not originally from the Gulf State while Ecuador are expected to compete with Senegal for second place in Group A, which also contains The Netherlands.
Related links:
- World Cup 2022: Day One
- Harry Kane to defy FIFA and wear One Love armband in World Cup opening against Iran
- FootballJOE’s 2022 Fifa World Cup Hub: The latest updates from Qatar
