Amad Diallo’s Last-Gasp Strike Earns Ivory Coast 1-0 Win Over Ecuador

Amad Diallo’s Last-Gasp Strike Earns Ivory Coast 1-0 Win Over Ecuador

Amad Diallo came off the bench to deliver a 90th-minute winner as Ivory Coast opened their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a dramatic 1-0 victory over Ecuador in Philadelphia. The Manchester United winger calmly steered home a low finish from the edge of the box after Wilfried Singo’s driving run and cross, breaking Ecuadorian hearts and giving Les Éléphants three points in their first World Cup appearance since 2014.

Ecuador had the better of the first half and came agonizingly close to an opener three times. John Yeboah and Alan Minda both struck the woodwork, while captain Enner Valencia missed a golden chance after Emmanuel Agbadou’s slip. Ivory Coast looked dangerous on the break through 19-year-old Yan Diomande, but Nicolas Pépé and Elye Wahi failed to convert promising counters.

The game turned after halftime. Valencia hit the outside of the post early in the second half, but Ivory Coast gradually took control. Diomande twice found space in the box and Wahi redirected a dangerous cross onto the bar. Ivory Coast keeper Fofana denied Gonzalo Plata from distance and Joel Ordóñez headed over as La Tri pushed for a winner. It was the Elephants who struck last, with Singo carrying the ball down the right and Diallo meeting his cross with a composed finish inside the post.

The result ends Ecuador’s 19-game unbeaten streak and leaves them with work to do in Group E. For Ivory Coast, the win caps a perfect return to the World Cup and builds on a qualifying campaign in which they did not concede a goal. If Diallo’s late magic is a sign of things to come, the Elephants could be genuine knockout-stage contenders.