After all of the hype and controversy, the opening night of Qatar 2022 ultimately fell flat. At least from the hosts' perspective, with fans leaving their seats long before the full-time whistle.
Felix Sanchez's side may only have been beaten 2-0 but they failed to register a single shot on target against Ecuador and the gulf in class between the two sides was painfully evident during a particularly one-sided first half.
Enner Valencia was the star of the show, scoring twice – once from the penalty spot, and then with a stunning header.
So, after becoming the first host nation in World Cup history to lose their opening fixture, Qatar have it all to do to avoid the ignominy of a first-round exit.
Meanwhile, Ecuador, with their solid 4-4-2 and clinical captain, look like a well-drilled side capable of equalling their best-ever World Cup showing: a last-16 finish at Germany 2006.
GOAL runs through all of the winners and losers from the tournament-opener...