Diallo’s 90th-minute strike seals ivory Coast victory over Ecuador
The Mt Kenya Times 
By Norman Mwale
“We came to the U.S. for this, and we came here with ambitions, with high hopes. This shows that our team has acquitted itself well.” — Emerse Fae, Ivory Coast manager
Ivory Coast opened their World Cup 2026 campaign with a dramatic 1-0 victory over Ecuador at Philadelphia Stadium on Sunday, a result secured by Manchester United forward Amad Diallo’s clinical finish in the 90th minute that denied a match heading for stalemate. The Elephants, returning to the tournament after a 12-year absence, absorbed pressure and hit the woodwork themselves before substitute Diallo struck, steering a first-time shot from the edge of the box into the far corner after Wilfried Singo’s surging run down the right wing. The goal ended Ecuador’s 19-game unbeaten run dating back to September 2024 and gave Ivory Coast three crucial points in a Group E that also features four-times champions Germany.
The match was finely poised for long periods, with both sides spurning clear chances. Ecuador struck the crossbar twice in the first half through John Yeboah in the 23rd minute and Alan Minda shortly after, while Ivory Coast teenager Yan Diomande rattled the woodwork after the break and Elye Wahi also hit the bar. In 33-degree heat the contest became a test of composure, and Diallo provided it with virtually the last kick of regulation time. “Amad Diallo scored a clinical 90th-minute winner to earn his side a 1-0 win over Ecuador,” match reports confirmed, and his cool side-footed finish proved enough to hold off late Ecuador pressure in seven minutes of added time.
Manager Emerse Fae praised his young squad’s belief after the final whistle, saying “We came to the U.S. for this, and we came here with ambitions, with high hopes. We don’t want to just have visited the U.S. 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.” Diallo, who had been introduced in place of Bazoumana Toure shortly before the hour mark, reflected on the moment, while Ecuador captain Enner Valencia offered a candid assessment of his side’s missed opportunities: “They finished, we didn’t. We leave with a defeat, but with our heads up, knowing that this just started, and we’ve got a whole tournament ahead. We’ve got two more matches, so now we need to rest and prepare for those.”
With Germany having thrashed debutants Curacao 7-1 in the group’s other fixture, Ivory Coast sit second on goal difference and now turn their attention to a daunting clash with the four-times champions in Toronto on Saturday. Ecuador must regroup quickly to face Curacao on the same day, knowing that their defensive solidity in qualifying means little unless they convert chances. For Ivory Coast, the victory is only their fifth at a World Cup and their first since 2014, but more importantly it delivers momentum and belief to a youthful side determined to make this tournament more than a cameo.
Similar Posts by The Mt Kenya Times:
- Africa reels from energy shocks, Ebola fears and growth slowdown as Middle East conflict ripples across continent
- Argentina beat Algeria 3-0 in World Cup clash as Messi nets hat-trick
- France defeat Senegal 3-1 as Mbappé double fires Les Bleus to victory
- Accounts committee probes audit queries on office of the President accounts
- Kenya hunts new coffee markets
About the Author
