Ivory Coast claim first 2026 World Cup win for Africa as Amad Diallo sinks Ecuador

Manchester United winger Amad Diallo emerged as Ivory Coast's hero with a dramatic late winner.

With the contest seemingly heading for a draw, the substitute struck in the 90th minute. Amad, who had surprisingly been left out of the starting side, applied a composed left-footed finish into the bottom corner after Wilfried Singo surged forward on a powerful run to create the opening.

The result was particularly significant for Ivory Coast, who are appearing at the World Cup for the first time in 12 years and harbour ambitions of reaching the knockout rounds for the first time.

The victory leaves them well placed in a Group E section that also features Germany and Curacao.

"We came to the US for this, and we came here with ambitions, with high hopes," said Ivory Coast coach Emerse Fae.

"We don't want to just have visited the US and have to go back, so everything is going well for now.

"We've beaten France. We are starting this competition well against Ecuador, a very tough team, but we managed to come into our own and won the match. This shows that our team has acquitted itself well."

Despite the late breakthrough, chances were scarce throughout a match that remained evenly balanced for long periods. Ecuador came closest during the opening half, striking the woodwork twice through John Yeboah and Alan Minda. Veteran forward Enner Valencia then hit the post from a narrow angle after the interval.

Ivory Coast also went close when OGC Nice attacker Elye Wahi rattled the crossbar early in the second half.

Ecuador struggled to test goalkeeper Yahia Fofana, failing to register an effort on target until the 68th minute. Gonzalo Plata finally forced the Ivorian goalkeeper into action, but Fofana was equal to the task.

Having recorded 12 clean sheets in 19 matches under coach Sebastian Beccacece, Ecuador's defence again performed strongly and largely neutralised star attacker Yan Diomande.

However, Amad's decisive intervention ended Ecuador's 19-match unbeaten run, a sequence that had stretched for almost two years.

"It hurts because it was ⁠an unfair defeat," Beccacece told reporters.

"I think there are very strong arguments to clearly show that the team competed very well, had the clearest chances and could have won the match, but because of one detail at the end, we leave with nothing." 

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