With host nation Qatar symbolically taking part in the opening match of the 2022 World Cup, fans in Doha and acro s the Middle East were hoping they could snatch an early goal against Ecuador in the curtain-raiser.Instead, it was their South American opponents who went in front first, and kicked off the scoring at this year's FIFA World Cup.Ecuador striker Enner Valencia, the only player on the entire field with prior World Cup experience, found the Ryan Kerrigan Jersey back of the net from the penalty spot early in the first half.The goal came after, only a few minutes earlier, Valencia had seen another strike disallowed by VAR.The one that did count sent La Tri well on their way, as Valencia got a second before halftime to give Ecuador a comfortable lead at the break.MORE: Enner Valencia of Ecuador thought he had the first goal of the 2022 FIFA World Cup just three minutes into the match, which multiple reports suggested would have been the fastest goal in the history of an opening World Cup fixture.However, that strike was ultimately chalked off for offside by a VAR review, making use of the new semi-automated offside technology available at this year's World Cup.Valencia only had to wait 13 more minutes, though, to get the goal he'd been pushing for. Following a ball threaded Michael Walker Jersey through by fellow striker Michael Estrada, Valencia was taken down by Qatar goalkeeper Saad Al Sheeb, giving Italian referee Daniele Orsato no choice but to point to the spot for a clear penalty. The goalkeeper was given a yellow card for his troubles, the first of the tournament.Ecuador veteran Valencia stepped up to take the spot-kick, and he deposited it into the back of the net with ease, sending Al Saad the wrong way. The goal is the first World Cup opener to come from the penalty spot. Penalty for Ecuador! FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) THE FIRST GOAL OF THE 2022 FIFA WORLD CUP BELONGS TO ECUADOR FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) Steven Nelson Jersey The first goal of the has come from the penalty spot! BBC Sport (@BBCSport) Enner Valencia scores on the penalty to give Ecuador a 1-0 lead. TSN (@TSN_Sports) Scoring the first goal of a World Cup tournament is a prestigious, if somewhat arbitrary, honor. Reggie White T Shirts Lucien Laurent of France scored the first-ever World Cup goal, coming in 1930.Four opening World Cup matches have finish scorele s, all coming in consecutive tournaments. The first was in 1966 when England and Uruguay finished scorele s. In 1970, Mexico and the Soviet Union couldn't find a winner, while in 1974 as Brazil and Yugoslavia finished level, and again four years later when West Germany and Poland drew 0-0.The only countries to log the opening goal in multiple World Cup tournament are Brazil and Germany, each scoring three. Nations to concede the opening goal of multiple World Cup tournaments are Argentina, Bulgaria, Mexico, France, and Chile. Only Mexico has conceded the opener more than two times, doing so on Philadelphia Eagles Sleepwear Underwear four occasions, including the first-ever World Cup goal.Italy, France, Argentina, and Bulgaria are the countries to find themselves on both ends of a World Cup opening goal.In 1930, 1934, 1954, and 1966 there was not one singular opening World Cup match, with multiple games played at the same time. Therefore, goals listed while multiple games are in action is the first goal scored by minute.YearPlayerNationOpponentMinute2018Yuri GazinskyRu siaSaudi Arabia12th2014NeymarBrazilCroatia29th2010Lawrence TshabalalaSouth AfricaMexico55th2006Philipp LahmGermanyCosta Rica6th2002Bouba DiopSenegalFrance30th1998Cesar SampaioBrazilScotland5th1994Jurgen KlinsmannGermanyBolivia61st1990Francois Omam-BiyikCameroonArgentina67th1986Ale sandro AltobelliItalyBulgaria44th1982Erwin VandenberghBelgiumArgentina62nd1978Bernard LacombeFranceItaly1st*1974Paul BreitnerW. GermanyChile18th*1970Dinkno DermendzhievBulgariaPeru13th*1966PeleBrazilBulgaria15th*1962Rolf WuthrichSwitzerlandChile6th1958Tore Simon sonSwedenMexico17th1954Milos MilutinovicYugoslaviaFrance15th1950AdemirBrazilMexico30th1938Josef GauchelGermanySwitzerland29th1934Ernesto BelisArgentinaSweden4th1930Lucien LaurentFranceMexico19th