Late Diallo goal gives Ivory Coast opening World Cup win over Ecuador
Amad Diallo scored in the 90th minute as Ivory Coast beat Ecuador 1-0 in Group E at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
By James Whitfield · Staff Writer
2 min read
Ivory Coast began its 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a 1-0 win over Ecuador after Amad Diallo scored in the 90th minute, the Associated Press reported. The result gave Ivory Coast three points in Group E and strengthened its early push for a first trip to the knockout stage.
According to AP, Diallo came off the bench in the 56th minute and decided the match at Philadelphia Stadium on Sunday. The Manchester United winger struck with his left foot from just inside the box, sending the ball past Ecuador goalkeeper Hernan Galindez.
AP reported that Wilfried Singo created the winner with a forceful run down the right side before setting up Diallo. The late goal ended a match in which both teams had earlier hit the crossbar and Ecuador had looked capable of taking points.
Ivory Coast, playing at the World Cup for the fourth time and the first since 2014, took a major early step in a group that also includes Germany and Curacao, AP reported. The team has not previously reached the knockout round at the tournament.
Before Diallo’s goal, the closest Ivory Coast came was in the 52nd minute, when Elye Wahi hit the bar, according to AP. Ecuador had struck the woodwork twice in the first half through John Yeboah and Nilson Angulo.
AP reported that Ecuador had strong backing in Philadelphia, with most of the 68,274 spectators wearing the yellow colors of La Tri. The match was played at Philadelphia Stadium, also known as Lincoln Financial Field.
Ecuador, appearing in its fifth World Cup, was seeking to improve its chances of reaching the knockout stage for the second time, AP reported. Its best second-half opportunity came in the 68th minute, when Gonzalo Plata’s shot from about 25 yards was pushed away by Ivory Coast goalkeeper Yahia Fofana.
Ivory Coast also created pressure through Yan Diomande, according to AP. The Leipzig attacker produced several openings, especially from the right, including the cross that led to Wahi’s effort against the bar.
AP reported that Ivory Coast entered the tournament after going unbeaten in qualifying, finishing with eight wins and two draws while not conceding a goal across 10 matches. That defensive record carried into the opener, where Yahia Fofana and the back line kept Ecuador scoreless.
Ivory Coast will next play Germany on June 20, AP reported. Germany opened Group E with a 7-1 win over Curacao earlier Sunday.
According to AP, Ecuador will face Curacao on the same date. Those matches will further shape the race for places in the knockout phase.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.