Amad Diallo scored in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time to hand Ivory Coast a 1-0 victory over Ecuador in a World Cup 2026 group match. It was the African side's first appearance at the global football showpiece after a 12-year absence.
The game was played at Philadelphia Stadium in front of 68,274 fans, most of them clad in Ecuador's yellow shirts, making it feel almost like a home fixture for the South Americans. Nonetheless, Ivory Coast created the more dangerous opportunities.
Both teams hit the crossbar three times before Diallo — introduced as a substitute in the 56th minute — broke the deadlock. The Manchester United midfielder's left-footed shot from inside the penalty area beat goalkeeper Hernan Galindez after a layoff from Wilfried Singo on the right flank.
Earlier, Ivory Coast's Elye Wahi also struck the crossbar in the 52nd minute, while Ecuador's John Yeboah and Nilson Angulo did the same in the first half. Ecuador's best chance after the break came in the 68th minute when Gonzalo Plata fired a 25-meter shot that was saved by keeper Yahia Fofana.
The win moves Ivory Coast closer to their first-ever World Cup knockout-round qualification. Coach Jean-Louis Gasset's side will face Germany — who beat Curacao 7-1 — in their next Group E match on June 20. Ecuador will also meet Curacao on the same day.
