'We have to do better': Ecuador boss Gustavo Alfaro insists his side need to improve to continue on their World Cup journey after comfortable win against hosts Qatar in opening game
- Ecuador emerged victorious from the opening game of the 2022 World Cup
- Enner Valencia scored both of Ecuador's goals in the 2-0 victory on Sunday
- Ecuador manager Gustavo Alfaro insists his team needs to improve to progress
- Click here for the latest World Cup 2022 news, fixtures, live action and results
It was mission accomplished, said Ecuador coach Gustavo Alfaro after a 2-0 win over hosts Qatar in the World Cup opener on Sunday, but he warned that he will need more from his men to reach the knockout round.
It was the type of offensive display Alfaro wanted to see from his attack that had sputtered coming into the World Cup, with veteran striker Enner Valencia netting two first half goals to match team's haul from their six previous matches.
The Group A contest was viewed as a must win by both Qatar and Ecuador if they were to have any chance of getting to the next stage.
![Gustavo Alfaro insists his Ecuador side must improve if they are to reach the knockout stages](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/21/07/64758155-11450985-Gustavo_Alfaro_insists_his_Ecuador_side_must_improve_if_they_are-a-256_1669014039748.jpg)
Gustavo Alfaro insists his Ecuador side must improve if they are to reach the knockout stages
Goals might not come as easily against Ecuador's other two group opponents, the Netherlands and Senegal.
While they ended a goal-scoring drought on Sunday, the lack of finishing in the second half, particularly after Valencia left the game in the 75th minute, was worrying.
'The important thing is that we got the win,' said Alfaro. 'We did what we needed to do to win this game.
![Alfaro's side beat hosts Qatar 2-0 in the opening game of the World Cup on Sunday evening](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/21/07/64758789-11450985-Alfaro_s_side_beat_hosts_Qatar_2_0_in_the_opening_game_of_the_Wo-a-257_1669014039923.jpg)
Alfaro's side beat hosts Qatar 2-0 in the opening game of the World Cup on Sunday evening
'At the half (interval) I asked my players are they happy and they said, no that they can play better. I congratulated them for the win but told them we have to do better.'
Next up for Ecuador will be three-time finalists Netherlands, who will prove a far tougher hurdle when the teams meet on Friday.
'If we want to go to the knockout stage we need to finish well,' said Alfaro. 'If we want to go further we need to improve on this.
'Some teams, even after winning their first game, do not qualify.'
Most watched Sport videos
- Giants fans burn quarterback Daniel Jones' jersey after loss
- Montenegro fans create distraction from football with fireworks
- Las Vegas Raiders fan body slams a woman during brawl
- Awkward moment footy great can't pronounce NRL player's name
- Johnny Gaudreau's wife Meredith announces she is pregnant
- Moment Miami Dolphin's Tyreek Hill is arrested by police
- Jason Kelce bares all with ex-Eagles teammate in revealing beer ad
- Shocking bodycam of Tyreek Hill arrest released by Miami-Dade PD
- Woman exposes NRL boyfriend for leaving her for another
- Ireland fans mock Queen's death aiming chants at England fans
- John Hunt makes a poignant return to the commentary box at Brighton
- Tyreek Hill speeds by police before cops aggressively pull him over