In the lead-up to the World Cup, Enner Valencia’s form caused much anxiety among his 18 million countrymen. The Ecuador captain’s goals had seemingly dried up, having not scored in seven games in all competitions and missed a penalty against Japan in one of La Tri’s last friendlies.
Even though Valencia’s 13 goals and four assists mean he is having his best season for his club team Fenerbahçe, he’d been missing on the scoresheet for Ecuador for the last eight months. This made Valencia the subject of memes, posts, and even a topic on Ecuadorian daytime TV, wondering what had happened to the captain and if a replacement should be found as the starting striker.
In the opening game of the World Cup 2022, Valencia silenced the doubters by scoring two goals to become Ecuador’s all-time World Cup goal leader and beat hosts Qatar 2-0 at Al Bayt Stadium. It was the first time a host nation lost the opening game in tournament history.
Ecuador Captain Enner Valencia Becomes La Tri’s Top Scorer in World Cup History
Enner was on fire! 🔥🇪🇨
Valencia becomes Ecuador's all-time top #FIFAWorldCup goal-scorer! 👏 #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/3OjInnTco6
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 20, 2022
Record-Setting Enner Valencia
Valencia wrote himself into the history books while the world and his entire country watched. His two goals ensure he is in sole possession of Ecuador’s goal leader record with five strikes, passing Agustin Delgado. It was also the first time a player had scored two goals in a World Cup opening match in 71 years. More importantly, it gets Ecuador off to the dream start to the World Cup they were seeking against a largely docile Qatar.
Valencia and Ecuador thought they had gotten off to a dream start in the third minute when Qatar Goalkeeper Saad al-Sheeb badly misplayed a free kick. The ball was put back into the middle by centre-back Felix Torres, and Valencia nodded home. VAR controversially disallowed the opening goal for offside.
Read More: Ecuador Squad Revealed for World Cup 2022
Calma y Confía Ecuador 🇪🇨 pic.twitter.com/Lgq9xAFPPf
— EnnerValencia (@EnnerValencia14) November 20, 2022
Captain Cool, Calm and Collected
Valencia finally had his goal, and Ecuador the lead 1-0, after he calmly put away a penalty on 16 minutes. After Michael Estrada (a surprise inclusion in the starting 11 who didn’t make our Ecuador predicted lineup) had put Valencia through on goal, al-Sheeb brought Valencia down in the box to earn the penalty for Ecuador. He approached the ball as casually as a man taking his dog for a stroll in the park and struck a driven shot into the bottom right corner of the goal for the 1-0 lead.
Valencia would get his second from a thumping header in the 31st minute. With Ecuador letting their foot off the gas a bit, all Valencia needed was one cross to put the game beyond doubt. Right-back Angelo Preciado put in a cross that was just a bit behind and too low for Valencia. The 33-year-old stooped low and angled his body on the jump to power a flashing header past the goalkeeper for the 2-0 lead.
Valencia’s two first-half goals were all that Ecuador would need to win the match 2-0, as the hosts never really got going. Qatar proved just the right opponent for Valencia to put his goal-scoring worries behind him, and for Ecuadorians everywhere to breathe easier.
Read More: Ecuador Predicted Lineup vs Qatar: Alleged Bribes, Injuries and Goal Droughts
😎 @EnnerValencia14 pic.twitter.com/e15Ul61LSg
— La Tri 🇪🇨 (@LaTri) November 20, 2022
What Next for Valencia?
There will be ecstatic celebrations around La Mitad del Mundo, although they’ll certainly be muted in Ecuador’s camp as they await word on the extent of Valencia’s apparent injury. He was forced off just before the end of the first half and did not return until after halftime. Ecuador head coach Gustavo Alfaro was finally forced into a substitution in the 77th minute, with José Cifuentes replacing Valencia because of the injury.
La Tri has yet to disclose what the injury could be, and fears will now increase in Ecuador as to where the goals will come from yet again if he is indeed injured. Valencia will be in a race against time to be fit for Ecuador’s next match against the Netherlands.
Ecuador’s World Cup finals chances depend largely on how well their captain Valencia recovers and his goals. They reappeared for Ecuador at just the right time, making him Ecuador’s record-breaking World Cup goal leader. Now, all of Ecuador will hope he can continue to play, and keep adding to his goals record.
