All First At The 2022 World Cup: VAR Controversy And Penalties That Become First Goals

Ecuador's Enner Valencia is Qatar's 2022 World Cup first goalscorer. (Photo: Twitter/@FIFAWorldCup)

JAKARTA - The 2022 World Cup officially starts on Sunday, November 20, evening WIB. The match between the host, Qatar, against Ecuador, was the opener.

This first match was already tinged with controversy from the start of the fight. Ecuador's captain, Enner Valencia, came close to setting a record.

He could have become the fastest first-goal scorer at the World Cup if his goal in the 3rd minute had not been disallowed by the referee.

The goal was not legal after the referee saw the VAR video. This is the first goal at the 2022 World Cup that was not validated by VAR.

However, the status of the first goal scorer in this edition of the World Cup is still held by Valencia. He scored a goal for Ecuador in the 16th minute through the white point.

This goal was also the first penalty at the 2022 World Cup.

First goal ✅

First celebration ✅#Qatar2022 is well underway! pic.twitter.com/oeMr9y4W2F

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 20, 2022

While Qatar goalkeeper, Saad Abdullah Al Sheeb, became the first player to get a yellow card in this tournament.

Valencia also became the first player to score two goals in one match at the 2022 World Cup. He scored the second goal in the 31st minute.

He took advantage of bait from Angelo Preciado who was recorded as the first player to be recorded as providing an assist at this World Cup.

Unfortunately, Valencia failed to become the first player to score a hat trick at the Qatar World Cup. He was substituted in the 77th minute and replaced by Jose Cifuentes.

In the end, Ecuador successfully beat host Qatar in the opening match with a score of 2-0. This is the first win at the 2022 World Cup.