Côte d'Ivoire vs Ecuador

Ivory Coast snatched a dramatic 1-0 win over Ecuador in their 2026 World Cup Group E opener in Philadelphia, with substitute Amad Diallo delivering the decisive blow deep in stoppage time, the Elephants' first World Cup victory in twelve years. Diallo, brought on at the hour mark, curled home a composed first-time finish in the 90+2nd minute after a surging run and cross from right-back Wilfried Singo. Ecuador were desperately unlucky not to have led long before that point: John Yeboah (24') and Alan Minda (30') both struck the crossbar before the break, while Enner Valencia (46') and Gonzalo Plata (68') rattled the woodwork after it, four agonising near-misses in total. Yan Diomandé was the standout Ivorian throughout, shifting to the left flank after the double substitution that changed the game. The result lifts Ivory Coast joint-top of Group E alongside Germany, while Ecuador, despite hitting the woodwork more times than most sides manage in an entire tournament, must regroup quickly to keep their knockout-round hopes alive.