Ecuadorian legend Enner Valencia earned his team a valuable point in a 1-1 draw with the Netherlands in a Group A encounter before leaving the pitch on a stretcher with a severe knee injuryThe attacker has scored the last six World Cup goals for Ecuador. Following his two strikes against hosts Qatar on the grand opening, he also put the ball in the Dutch net on Friday night to cancel out a terrific opener from Cody Gakpo and deny Louis Van Gaal his second win of the tournament.🇪🇨 Ecuador’s last 6️⃣ World Cup goals:⚽️ Enner Valencia ⚽️ Enner Valencia ⚽️ Enner Valencia ⚽️ Enner Valencia⚽️ Enner Valencia ⚽️ Enner Valencia pic.twitter.com/KFU2lsH1pU— 433 (@433) November 25, 2022 The 33-year-old Fenerbahce attacker was already the ultimate hero for football fans back in his homeland, but his exploits in Qatar have already made him an icon. He scored three goals in the 2014 edition and added three more in Qatar. That’s the last six goals for Ecuador in World Cups – all scored by the former West Ham United flop. The guys just loves these tournaments.To make the story of Enner even more dramatic, he sustained a serious-looking knee injury late in the game and had to be stretched off as the Ecuadorians in the stands chanted the name of their legend. Valencia starred in two games, but it looks like only a miracle would see him appear in those remaining.Cody Gakpo is showing what he’s capable of, his 2nd goal in World Cup. 🔥#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/l5mlG3MYqb— United Knights (@UnitedKnights5) November 25, 2022 The game started brightly for the Dutch, however. Gakpo was already mentioned as one of those players Erik Ten Hag was desperate to bring to Old Trafford. The PSV Eindhoven attacker has such a good World Cup with the Netherlands that maybe he’s making it more difficult for his compatriot to sign him.Facing a dangerous Ecuador team, Gakpo put his mark on this Group A match with a fantastic goal that gave Oranje the lead. Even though the European team were the favourites and got themselves ahead, His goal was a rare moment of brilliance at the Khalifa International Stadium, however.The determined South Americans had their chances, however – and it was only a bizarre decision just before halftime that prevented them from levelling.Enner Valencia poked one home on the rebound to level matters for Ecuador against The Netherlands.pic.twitter.com/KHYOCfNxzL— H/F (@hfworld_) November 25, 2022 Angelo Preciado tried an effort after a corner, and Brighton’s star Pervis Estupinan instinctively touched it along the way and helped it beat Andries Noppert. But the referee had to disallow it because Ecuador’s Jackson Porozo was standing offside and blocking the goalie’s sight of the ball. Estupinan was going crazy, but the decision stood.Gustavo Alfaro’s side did level, thanks to their indestructible captain Valencia, though. Shortly after the break, he beat the offside trap after Noppert had only parried an Estupinan shot, and tucked in the rebound for his third goal of the tournament.Enner Valencia was stretchered off in the 90th minute against the Netherlands 😕He’s the first player to reach three goals this World Cup pic.twitter.com/OO3juoP0Rm— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 25, 2022 The goal changed the game completely. El Tri got a considerable boost in confidence and started to dominate. Gonzalo Plata hit the crossbar with a thunderous shot as the Dutch barely held on.But the late injury for Valencia ended the match on a sour note.After two matchdays, the Netherlands and Ecuador have four points each, Senegal are third with three points, and Qatar becomes the first team that officially lost all possibility of making the last 16.WORLD CUPFriday, Nov 25thWales – Iran 0-1 (0-0)/Cheshmi 90+9/Qatar – Senegal 1-3 (0-1)/Muntari 78 – Dia 41, Diedhou 48, Dieng 84/Netherlands – Ecuador 1-1 (1-0)/Gakpo 6 – Valencia 49/22:00: (1.65) England (3.70) USA (5.70) B
