It’s a wrap!
The long wait is finally behind us, and the first of 64 matches have ended with Ecuador triumphing 2-0 over hosts, Qatar.
In the first half, Ecuador threatened to score even more goals, but in the second half they seemed content to sit back a little, which allowed Qatar the necessary latitude to get themselves back into the contest.
While the passing between the lines did improve somewhat, it was the finishing in the final third, which ultimately proved the difference for Qatar.
How Felix Sanchez motivates his troops from here will be telling as they face stiffer opposition next in Senegal on Friday and the Netherlands on November 29.
As for Ecuador, with a vital three points in hand, they next face the Dutch on Friday before finishing their group matches against Senegal on the 29th.
It has been a pleasure to have you join us today, and we bid you farewell until the next slate of exciting matches on Monday!