Ecuador captain and 2022 FIFA World Cup top scorer Enner Valencia sustained an injury during his side’s 1-1 draw with the Netherlands tonight.
The forward scored the goal to equalise for his side against the unconvincing Dutch team. He then limped off with a serious-looking knee injury.
Valencia left the pitch on a stretcher near the end of the match. His hand was over his face, and he had to put ice on his knee while on the bench.
He is the top scorer at the World Cup after netting a double in the opening game against Qatar and scoring today. The 33-year-old netted in the second half to cancel out Cody Gakpo’s early opener.
After taking the lead, Louis Van Gaal’s men failed to convince, and Equador clawed their way back into the game. They got their much-deserved equaliser in the second half.
Valencia was a doubt for the game against the Europeans but recovered from a knock to play.
He is Ecuador’s talisman and the country’s top scorer, with 37 goals in 75 appearances. The forward has added another three goals to the three he scored at the 2014 World Cup.
Valencia said it was a dream to score at the World Cup, and he will hope it does not die through an injury.
Ecuador face Senegal next Tuesday. A win or draw will help them qualify for the knockout stage.
Ecuador will hope that Valencia is fit and firing for the game. The nation waits anxiously over the next 24/48 hours to know the extent of his injury.
