Eusebio scored six World Cup goals in a row for Portugal, Paolo Rossi for Italy, Oleg Salenko for Russia - and now in Qatar also Enner Valencia. However, the Ecuadorian striker also limped off the field twice. The national coach makes a secret of his condition.
Énner Valencia - who else? It's almost as if only the 33-year-old Fenerbahçe striker could score World Cup goals for Ecuador. It's been 16 years since another player scored for the South Americans at a World Cup. Valencia scored all three goals in Brazil in 2014 during the last World Cup participation of the soccer dwarf, in Qatar the veteran has also scored three times.
"It's just great. I'm enjoying it a lot," said Valencia after the 1-1 (0-1) loss to the Netherlands. The attacker entered the World Cup history books. There had been three previous players who had also scored six straight goals for their country in a world tournament: Eusebio for Portugal in 1966, Italy's Paolo Rossi in 1982 and Russia's Oleg Salenko in 1994.
Valencia can now grab this record alone in the last group game against Senegal on Tuesday. "Valencia works so hard and we are so happy to have such a captain," said Ecuador coach Gustavo Alfaro.
As was the case after his brace in the opening match against World Cup hosts Qatar (2-0), Valencia was substituted off against the Dutch. And just like after the game against Qatar, Ecuador will again keep a secret about whether Valencia can play in the next game. "It won't be that bad," said teammate Robert Arboleda. "He's okay. He took a hit, but nothing more."
In fact, before being substituted in the closing stages on Friday, Valencia put on a little show to buy time. The Fenerbahçe star will hardly miss the chance to continue writing World Cup history in the coming week. Especially since after the convincing performances so far, the chances for La Tri to reach the World Cup round of 16 for the first time since 2006 are good. Everything decides against Senegal. Alfaro spoke of a "battle" that would become even more intense.
Valencia then has the opportunity to improve on another record as well. Only once has a nation with just one goal scorer scored more in the tournament: in 1986 Italy with four goals from Alessandro Altobelli - and of course another own goal.
