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.