The 2022 World Cup kicked off in extraordinary fashion today as Qatar were saved by a bizarre VAR call to rule out Ecuador's opener.
Former West Ham and Everton striker Enner Valencia was in the right place at the right time to head home Felix Torres' overhead kick after Qatar goalkeeper Saad Al-Sheeb's questionable decision making. VAR replays showed that Valencia was in an offside position as the rules state that two players have to be behind the ball when it's played, including the goalkeeper.
Many criticised the decision as there as a defender behind Valencia. However, as per the FIFA rules, the goal was rightly disallowed.
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The decision was made after replays showed the ball coming off Torres, who was challenging the goalkeeper. Michale Estrada, whose foot is judged to be offside, then heads the ball back to Torres before Valencia scores.
As per the IFAB rules, a player is in an offside position if 'any part of the head, body or feet is nearer to the opponents' goal line than both the ball and second-last opponent.'
The call from VAR didn't stop Ecuador's attacking flow against the hosts, with Valencia tucking a penalty away after 16 minutes before adding a second after half hour. The striker now has five World Cup goals in four games.
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