The World Cup kicked off in Qatar on Sunday.
Qatar's Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thami was present in the impressive Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, 50 kilometres (31 miles) outside of Doha, to watch the host nation face Ecuador.
In a breathless start to the match in the stadium shaped like a Bedouin tent, Ecuador's Enner Valenica headed the ball into the net after three minutes but the goal was disallowed for offside.
Thirteen minutes later, Ecuador did take the lead after Valencia dribbled round Qatari goalkeeper Saad Alsheeb who grabbed his shin and the referee pointed to the spot and Valencia coolly rolled home the penalty.
Valencia added a second goal to give Ecuador a 2-0 lead in the 31st minute.
The Al Bayt venue is one of an array of new stadiums built for the tournament, which has cost Qatar an estimated $200 billion, the most expensive World Cup in history.
South Korean K-pop star Jung Kook headlined the 30-minute opening ceremony.
The list of foreign dignitaries included Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman who orchestrated a regional blockade of Qatar in 2017. FIFA president Gianni Infantino sat next to the Saudi leader.
