Qatar 2022: Enner Valencia In Doubt Ahead Of Teranga Lions Clash

Ecuador are sweating on the fitness of star striker and captain Enner Valencia after the current 2022 World Cup top scorer was carried off on a stretcher late in their 1-1 Group A draw against the Netherlands .

Valencia has scored three goals in two games with his equaliser four minutes into the second half against the Netherlands, tapping from close range after Pervis Estupinan’s shot was parried by Dutch keeper Andries Noppert.

However, a superb personal performance ended early as Valencia – who had been a doubt for the game with an ongoing right knee injury – fell in the closing stages.

After a period of treatment he was carried on a stretcher, appearing to be in pain, although he was then taken to the bench with a large ice pack over his knee.

There is a video that shows him walking off the pitch after the final whistle without any assistance.

Subsequent media reports suggested that Valencia would be fit to face Senegal on Tuesday in Ecuador’s Group A final, where a point will be enough to take them to the round of 16 for the second time after 2006.
The 33-year-old has scored Ecuador’s last six goals in a World Cup final, including both in their 2022 tournament opener, a 2-0 win over hosts Qatar, where he was also substituted in the final stages.

He now has 38 goals in 76 international appearances and is the Ecuadorian team’s top scorer in the World Cup.

Valencia has also scored 13 goals in 12 league appearances for Turkish side Fenerbahce this season.