Skipper Enner Valencia had given Ecuador the perfect start in the Fifa World Cup when he scored twice in the first half to hand hosts Qatar a 2-0 loss on Sunday.
The attacking left-winger, who plies his trade in Turkey playing for Fenerbahçe, effortlessly tapped in the first in the 16th minute from the penalty spot, but his second goal demonstrated why he is held in high regard at the club football level.
The 33-year-old, who always looked threatening during the first half in which the South Americans ran circles around the home team, headed home a brilliant goal off a long looping cross.