Now, they've only gone and done it again. Ecuador's place at the World Cup finals came into question when it appeared that they'd fielded an ineligible player, as Chile asked for their continental rivals to be replaced in the tournament.
Ecuador supporters display a cheeky banner at World Cup 2022 (Image credit: JEWEL SAMAD/AFP via Getty Images)
Two supporters of La Tri were seen in the Khalifa International Stadium displaying a sign reading "Cuando juega Chile" – which translates as "When does Chile play?" ahead of the Group A fixture, in reference to the drama.
After six minutes, Cody Gakpo opened the scoring with the earliest goal of World Cup 2022 so far. The PSV attacker reacted first after the ball was sent long up the field from Manchester City defender Nathan Ake to become the first player in the tournament to have scored in two separate games at the tournament.
Senegal beat Qatar 3-1 in the earlier game and with Gakpo now on two goals for the competition, has a genuine chance of racking up his tally against the hosts to put himself in pole position for the Golden Boot in 2022.
Ecuador can knock Qatar out of the tournament by clinching a draw in this game.
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Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
