Who is the referee for Netherlands vs Ecuador in the World Cup 2022 group second game?
The Khalifa International is the setting for the Netherlands-Ecuador clash with both teams winning their Group A opening games.
Follow the Netherlands vs Ecuador live online
Ecuador have never faced Netherlands in a competitive match but firmly believe they can overcome the Europeans as they look to take a huge step towards the knockout rounds by springing another World Cup surprise.
The South American side cruised to victory over hosts Qatar in the tournament opener last Sunday.
A double from Enner Valencia secured a 2-0 win, giving Ecuador the chance to triumph in their opening two matches of a World Cup for the first time since 2006.
Yet their record against European nations suggests that will be a difficult challenge.
Indeed, Ecuador are winless in their last four World Cup games against European sides (D1 L3), scoring just once across those four matches.
- How and where to watch Friday’s World Cup games
- Wales v Iran
- Qatar v Senegal
- Netherlands vs Ecuador
- England vs USA
The Netherlands, meanwhile, are unbeaten in their last eight World Cup matches against South American sides (W5 D3), since a 3-2 defeat to Brazil in the quarter-finals in 1994, though that run includes a penalty shoot-out loss to Argentina in the 2014 semi-finals.
But, after seeing Argentina stunned by Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, Ecuador goalkeeper Hernan Galindez is hopeful Ecuador can throw the form book out the window and take control of Group A.
Netherlands-Ecuador: match official
FIFA have designated Algerian Mustapha Ghorbal as referee for today’s Group A clash. The 37-year-old Oran native has been a full FIFA match official since 2014 covering high profile tournaments such as the Club World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations. This is the Algerian’s first World Cup experience.
Today Ghorbal will be assisted by Mokrane Gourari, Abdelhak Etchiali with the fourth official being Said Martinez.