World Cup: Entertaining game as Valencia rescues Ecuador from Netherlands’ defeat

Enner Valencia scored his third goal of the World Cup before being taken off on a stretcher as Ecuador drew with the Netherlands to leave Group A wide open.

Ecuador fans were bouncing with excitement throughout the second half at the Khalifa International Stadium as they equalised just after the break and continued to create chances against a rattled Netherlands side.

The entire Ecuador squad, including substitutes, ran over to the corner flag to celebrate with Valencia after he poked in the rebound from Pervis Estupinan’s parried shot in the 49th minute.

The captain, who scored both goals in Ecuador’s victory over hosts Qatar on the opening night of the World Cup, was a constant threat but his night was cut short due to injury, according to the BBC Sport report.

Valencia went down in the final minute of normal time and was taken off on a stretcher, but was seen hobbling to his seat in the dugout.

PSV Eindhoven forward Cody Gakpo gave the Netherlands the lead after just five minutes and four seconds – the quickest goal so far in Qatar – when he struck a shot beautifully into the top of the net.

But the Dutch struggled to build on their lead, with Ecuador’s Estupinan having a goal disallowed on the stroke of half-time, before Gonzalo Plata’s long-range curler bounced off the crossbar after Valencia’s equaliser.

The draw leaves both teams on four points in Group A, needing just a draw in their final games to qualify for the knockout rounds.