VAR drama, political statements and empty seats: Five big takeaways from the opening day of the World Cup

A huge version of the trophy at the opening ceremony of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
(Image credit: Getty Images)

The 2022 World Cup kicked off on Sunday with a 2-0 win for Ecuador against hosts Qatar at the Al-Bayt Stadium in Al Khor.

Fenerbahce forward Enner Valencia scored both goals for Ecuador in the first half to give the South Americans a comfortable win in Group A.

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Ben Hayward
Weekend editor

Ben Hayward is the Weekend Editor of FourFourTwo. A European football writer and Tottenham Hotspur fan with over 15 years’ experience, he has covered games all over the world - including three World Cups, several Champions League finals, Euros, Copa America - and has spent much of that time in Spain. Ben speaks English and Spanish, currently dividing his time between Barcelona and London, covering all the big talking points of the weekend on FFT: he’s also written several list features and interviewed Guglielmo Vicario for the magazine.

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