World Cup 2022 LIVE: Qatar vs Ecuador latest score, goals and updates as VAR rules out early Enner Valencia goal in opening game

11 mins: Better from Qatar.

Ecuador win another free kick over on the left side of the pitch and Brighton’s Pervis Estupinan swings a low ball into the penalty area.

He beats one defender but Bassam Al-Rawi is aware enough to step up and boot the loose ball clear.

9 mins: There was a lot of controversy surrounding this World Cup off the pitch and it’s taken just six minutes for some controversy on the pitch.

At least Qatar are being consistent. Ecuador have stepped it up since the goal was disallowed, they’re starting to control possession inside Qatar’s half.

3 mins: Three minutes! That’s all it’s taken for Ecuador to score the first goal of the World Cup. The free kick is floated into the box and Qatar goalkeeper Saad Al-Sheeb comes out to flap the ball away.

He misses it and Felix Torres shoots on the turn. He scuffs his shot into the six-yard box where Ecuador captain Enner Valencia is free to head it into the back of the net!

2 mins: Jhegson Mendez lunges into a tackle in the middle of the pitch and wins the ball away from Akram Afif leaving the Qatari forward sprawled on the deck.

Ecuador move swiftly down the pitch and are awarded a free kick for a foul on Moises Caicedo.

Qatar get the ball rolling for the 2022 World Cup and send it up the pitch with a direct ball into the Ecuador box. It’s defended easily enough but the hosts recover the loose ball.

Here come the players. The stage is set at the Al Bayt Stadium. The fans are ready.

The national anthems are played starting with Ecuador’s. Kick off for the 2022 World Cup opener is a few minutes away…

World Cup openers have a habit of throwing up a surprise, and although Ecuador would typically be expected to beat Qatar, this is no ordinary game. The home fans can carry their team to an early victory.

Almoez Ali is the player Ecuador need to be aware of the most. The striker scored nine goals as Qatar won Asian Cup in 2019 breaking the tournament record set by Iran’s Ali Daei in 1996.

He’ll be looking to impress during this tournament and will want to start strongly tonight.

Some final photos from the World Cup opening ceremony. The first game kicks off in just under 20 minutes time. Who will be victorious in that one?

This opening match is a big one in Group A. Neither of these teams is expected to make it out of the group but both have a chance depending in how tonight’s encounter goes.

Also in Group A are the African champions Senegal and the Netherlands. If Qatar or Ecuador pick up maximum points tonight they may only need a draw against one of those teams to get into the knockout rounds.