ANKARA
The Netherlands drew 1-1 with Ecuador at the 2022 FIFA World Cup on Friday, making Qatar the first team eliminated from the tournament.
PSV Eindhoven striker Cody Gakpo’s shout made the Netherlands bleed in the 6th minute at Khalifa Stadium.
Ecuadorian striker Enner Valencia’s well-placed shot was blocked by Dutch goalkeeper Andries Noppert in the 31st minute.
Ecuador had a chance to equalize the score in the 48th minute, when Pervis Estupinan put the ball in the opposing goal but the referee annulled the goal for offside.
Valencia scored its third goal in two games when it finished off the ball returned by opposing goalkeeper Noppert in the minute.
He has scored Ecuador’s last six goals in World Cups and equalled the record for most goals scored at World Cup level since 2014, with six goals, tied with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ecuadorian midfielder Sebas Mendez earned a yellow card in the 57th minute, and just a minute later, Gonzalo Plata’s shot bounced off the Netherlands’ most accurate crossbar.
Enner Valencia left the pitch and replaced Kevin Rodriguez in the 89th minute.