Qatar eliminated after Ecuador draw with Netherlands

The frame of the goal came to Netherlands' rescue as they drew 1-1 with Ecuador to put them in a very strong position in Group A of the 2022 World Cup.

Gustavo Alfaro's side fought back from going behind to a Cody Gakpo strike before the break to level in the second period through Enner Valencia, and the South Americans came close to netting a second when Gonzalo Plata's strike hit the woodwork. 

The Action: After a 2-0 win over Senegal in their opening group game, Louis van Gaal's Dutchmen were looking to all but secure their place in the last sixteen of the competition with a victory over Ecuador, who had comfortably beaten hosts Qatar in their first game. 

The Dutch were upstaged for much of the encounter, however, and Ecuador will perhaps look back at the game as a missed opportunity despite Valencia's strike earning them a point - and putting the former West Ham striker at the top of the Golden Boot stakes with three goals. 

PSV starlet Cody Gakpo made the breakthrough for the Dutch late on in their win over Senegal, but he was back in business early against Ecuador. The tall and pacy winger sped onto Davy Klaasen's pass on the edge of the box with six minutes played and slammed the ball home at the near post after teeing himself up with a couple of touches - his goal ending Ecuador's hopes of keeping an eighth consecutive clean sheet. 

Ecuador remained undaunted, however, and they thought they had levelled with half-time approaching when Pervis Estupinan flicked home Angelo Preciado's shot from the edge of the box. However, the goal was chalked off as Jackson Porozo was adjudged to have been interfering with Dutch goalkeeper Andries Noppert's line of sight and the goal was ruled out for offside.

After the break, however, Gustavo Alfaro's side deservedly got their equaliser and it was former Hammer Enner Valencia who claimed his third goal of the tournament after this opening game double against Qatar. Noppert could only turn Estupinan's shot into the path of Valencia, who was in acres to stab home from around the six yard box. 

The South Americans almost turned the game on its head on 59 minutes when Gonzalo Plata latched onto a ball in the box and smashed a thunderbolt of an effort against the crossbar with Noppert well beaten. 

With the Dutch unable to find any tempo, the game petered out somewhat in the latter stages and Ecuador's mood was soured somewhat when Valencia was forced off injured on a stretcher. 

The result eliminated Qatar from the competition. The state of play in Group A is that van Gaal's Netherlands now only need a point against the hosts to book their place in the last 16. If the Dutch manage that, Ecuador and Senegal will battle it out for the remaining qualification spot. Ecuador would need only need a draw, while Senegal would require a victory to progress.