Ecuadoreans rejoice after historic opening triumph
Thousands of euphoric Ecuadoreans celebrated on Sunday in various cities around the South American nation after the country’s historic victory against host nation Qatar in the opening game of the FIFA World Cup.
Ecuador made the perfect start to the tournament by beating Qatar 2-0 in their Group A game with a brace from veteran striker Enner Valencia, who netted a penalty and then a header in the first half. The game marked the first time a host nation has been beaten in a World Cup opener.
Fans dressed in national soccer jerseys and carrying Ecuadorean flags in honor of the team known as the “Tricolor” filled restaurants, squares and shopping centers across the nation to encourage the team with the traditional slogan of “Yes, we can.”
“I feel huge emotion and I have no words, I can’t describe it,” said Jenny Espinosa, 33, who went with friends to a shopping center in the city of Ibarra, in the north of the country, to watch and back the team.
“We are one Ecuador, we are one fist and wherever the team is, we have to support it.”
In Quito, Guayaquil and Cuenca, the country’s largest cities, fans gathered in public parks to watch the game on giant screens and after the victory waved flags, danced and sang.
“It was exciting to see our team win,” said Hugo Pena, a 35-year-old taxi driver, as he celebrated on one of Guayaquil’s main streets.
“Let’s hope for a good performance in the next match against the Netherlands, let’s hope they give us a good result and we can qualify for the next phase.”
President Guillermo Lasso joined the festivities.
“Ecuador is making history,” Lasso wrote on his Twitter account. “When the leadership is clear, has a vision and works to achieve it, they go down in history as the Tri!”
‘Not totally satisfied’
Ecuador manager Gustavo Alfaro said he was happy but not “totally satisfied” with his team’s 2-0 victory.
“The most important thing today was to win. I’m not totally satisfied because we know there are a lot of things we can improve, but we are all learning, including me,” the Argentine coach told a post-match news conference at the Al Bayt Stadium.
“It’s a great victory. All games in the World Cup are difficult but the opening match against the tournament host involves more tension.
“We didn’t know how our level would be because there was little time to prepare. We only had four days to get ready for this game. Added to that was the fact it was the opening match of the World Cup, and this is a young team.”
Alfaro said his players needed to raise their game to another level in their remaining group-stage matches against Senegal and the Netherlands.
“Today we took an important step but it’s not decisive. There are teams that have won their first match of the World Cup and not advanced (to the knockout stage). But having said all of that, this victory is important and it will give us confidence.
“We were good in this match but we shouldn’t get ahead of ourselves. We are in a period of construction. We know that what we achieved in the qualifiers isn’t enough. Here we are up against the best teams in the world. The times are short between each game.”
Ecuador will next play on Friday against the Netherlands, while Qatar will face Senegal.