Group A – Enner Valencia netted his third goal of the FIFA World Cup 2022 before being taken off the pitch on a stretcher as Ecuador ended their encounter against Netherlands 1-1 at the Khalifa International Stadium in Qatar.
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| FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022: Netherlands against Ecuador ended 1-1 draw at the Khalifa International Stadium in Qatar. In the photo, three Ecuador players challenge one Netherlands player for possession of the ball |
Photos 👇 With this outcome, the Group is now left wide open.
Forward Cody Gakpo of PSV Eindhoven had given the Netherlands the lead early in the 6th minute (5 minutes and 40 seconds) – which is currently the fastest goal of the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar – when he beautifully found the back of the net via a shot.
Ecuador levelled up just four minutes into the second half through Enner Valencia as the South American side continued to threaten the Netherlands, who were unsettled in the encounter.
Captain Valencia, who did not stop disturbing the defence of their European opponent was stretched out of action due to injury.
With this result, three teams from the Group will be slugging it out to scale through into the knockouts in the final preliminary match – Senegal who cruised past Qatar 3-1 earlier, Netherlands and Ecuador.
Netherlands head coach, Louis Van Gaal, in his post-match comments, said: “If you want to become world champion then of course you need to improve a lot as some of the opponents we are yet to face is playing at a much higher level.
“We simply need to improve our game in terms of ball possession and we are working on that. Whether we’ll make it in this tournament I can’t guarantee that. But I think so.”
More photos ⬇️
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| Captain Enner Valencia in action for Ecuador during their FIFA World Cup 2022 match against Netherlands at the Khalifa International Stadium in Qatar which ended 1-1 |
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| Netherlands PSV Eindhoven forward Cody Gakpo celebrates with teammate after scoring early for the European side against Ecuador in the FIFA World Cup 2022 match at the Khalifa International Stadium in Qatar |
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| Supporters of Netherlands showing massive love for the European side during the FIFA World Cup 2022 match against South American side, Ecuador, at the Khalifa International Stadium in Qatar. The match ended 1-1 draw |
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| Supporters of Ecuador showing massive love for the South American side during the FIFA World Cup 2022 match against European side, Netherlands, at the Khalifa International Stadium in Qatar. The match ended 1-1 draw |
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| A supporter raises the Ecuador flag showing love and support for the South American nation during the FIFA World Cup 2022 match against Netherlands at the Khalifa International Stadium in Qatar. The match ended 1-1 draw |
Photos: @FifaWorldCup
