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Estupinan, Caicedo and Sarmiento win World Cup opener

Albion's Ecuadorian trio start tournament with comfortable three points.

By Matt Bishop • 20 November 2022

By Javier Garcia/ Shutterstock
Pervis Estupinan and Moises Caicedo celebrate with goalscorer Enner Valencia after he put Ecuador in front.

Albion had three players on the pitch in the opening game of the World Cup as Pervis Estupinan, Moises Caicedo and Jeremy Sarmeinto helped Ecuador beat hosts Qatar 2-0.

Pervis, who finished the match wearing the captain’s armband, started for La Tri alongside Moises, while Jeremy came on in the 67th minute.

By Javier Garcia / Shutterstock
Moises Caicedo breaks forward in Ecuador's World Cup opener against Qatar.

All three Albion players impressed, and it was the perfect start for the South Americans, who sealed victory thanks to Enner Valencia’s first-half brace and became the first team in history to beat the host nation in the opening game.

Moises was booked while Jeremy had a good chance shortly after coming on which he put over the target, although the offside flag has been raised. Pervis took the captain's armband late on and Moises came off in the 90th minute.

By Javier Garcia / Shutterstock
Jeremy Sarmiento tries to bring the ball under control.

Ecuador will now switch their focus to Friday’s match against Netherlands, while the next Albion player in action could be Alexis Mac Allister as Argentina face Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, 10am kick-off.

By Javier Garcia / Shutterstock
Enner Valencia celebrates his penalty success with Pervis Estupinan