WATCH: Valencia on fire! Ecuador star doubles account with bullet header to leave Qatar with a mountain to climb

Valencia headed ball into netTook his tally up to two goalsCame after he had early strke ruled out

WHAT HAPPENED? After having one goal ruled out for offside and then converting a penalty to open the scoring, Valencia was at the centre of attention again when he rose to meet Angelo Preciado’s cross and make it 2-0 with a powerful header.

Enner Valencia at the double!

What a header that is! ?#BBCFootball #BBCWorldCup #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/K0veh1avAJ

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) November 20, 2022

ENNER VALENCIA DOES IT AGAIN@LaTri takes a 2-0 lead ?? pic.twitter.com/om7Iq5Wt1L

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 20, 2022

THE BIGGER PICTURE: Ecuador will feel vindicated after scoring two goals so soon after having one chalked off. Valencia’s club, Fenerbahce, took advantage of the attacker’s exploits, putting him into the famous picture of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo that was released a day before the competition.

? @EnnerValencia14 #QatarWorldCup2022 pic.twitter.com/zIBZtnsf2y

— Fenerbahçe SK (@Fenerbahce) November 20, 2022

WHAT NEXT FOR ECUADOR? Valencia and his team-mates will hope to continue their positive start to the tournament when they take on the Netherlands on November 25 in their second match.