Amad Diallo (front) of Cote d'Ivoire celebrates his score during the group E match between Cote d'Ivoire and Ecuador at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Philadelphia Stadium in Philadelphia, the United States, June 14, 2026. (Xinhua/Xu Chang)
PHILADELPHIA, United States, June 14 (Xinhua) -- Amad Diallo scored a 90th-minute winner to give Cote d'Ivoire a 1-0 victory over Ecuador in a FIFA World Cup Group E match on Sunday.
In their first-ever meeting in an international competition, both sides created plenty of chances. Ecuador struck the woodwork three times, while Cote d'Ivoire also hit the crossbar, but neither team could find a breakthrough despite combining for 27 shots until Diallo's late strike.
The Manchester United winger was making his World Cup debut and marked the occasion with the decisive goal.
Ecuador, ranked 23rd in the world, qualified for its fifth World Cup after finishing second behind Argentina in South American qualifying, while Cote d'Ivoire, the Africa Cup of Nations champion in 2024, arrived at the tournament ranked 33rd.
Earlier in the day, four-time champion Germany thrashed debutant Curacao 7-1 in the other match of the group.
Cote d'Ivoire will face Germany on June 20, while Ecuador will take on Curacao. ■
Christ Inao Oulai (R, front) of Cote d'Ivoire vies with Moisés Caicedo (L, front) of Ecuador during the group E match between Cote d'Ivoire and Ecuador at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Philadelphia Stadium in Philadelphia, the United States, June 14, 2026. (Xinhua/Xu Chang)
Seko Fofana (C, front) of Cote d'Ivoire vies with Moisés Caicedo (R, front) of Ecuador during the group E match between Cote d'Ivoire and Ecuador at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Philadelphia Stadium in Philadelphia, the United States, June 14, 2026. (Xinhua/Xu Chang)
Amad Diallo (2nd L) of Cote d'Ivoire celebrates his score with teammates during the group E match between Cote d'Ivoire and Ecuador at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Philadelphia Stadium in Philadelphia, the United States, June 14, 2026. (Xinhua/Xu Chang)
Amad Diallo (No. 15) of Cote d'Ivoire celebrates his score with teammates during the group E match between Cote d'Ivoire and Ecuador at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Philadelphia Stadium in Philadelphia, the United States, June 14, 2026. (Xinhua/Cao Can)
Amad Diallo (1st L) of Cote d'Ivoire celebrates his score with teammates during the group E match between Cote d'Ivoire and Ecuador at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Philadelphia Stadium in Philadelphia, the United States, June 14, 2026. (Xinhua/Cao Can)
Amad Diallo (C) of Cote d'Ivoire celebrates his score during the group E match between Cote d'Ivoire and Ecuador at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Philadelphia Stadium in Philadelphia, the United States, June 14, 2026. (Xinhua/Hu Xingyu)
Amad Diallo (3rd R, front) of Cote d'Ivoire celebrates his score with teammates during the group E match between Cote d'Ivoire and Ecuador at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Philadelphia Stadium in Philadelphia, the United States, June 14, 2026. (Xinhua/Hu Xingyu)
Players of Cote d'Ivoire hug each other after the group E match between Cote d'Ivoire and Ecuador at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Philadelphia Stadium in Philadelphia, the United States, June 14, 2026. (Xinhua/Cao Can)
Amad Diallo (2nd R) of Cote d'Ivoire celebrates his score during the group E match between Cote d'Ivoire and Ecuador at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Philadelphia Stadium in Philadelphia, the United States, June 14, 2026. (Xinhua/Hu Xingyu)
Yan Diomande of Cote d'Ivoire reacts during the group E match between Cote d'Ivoire and Ecuador at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Philadelphia Stadium in Philadelphia, the United States, June 14, 2026. (Xinhua/Cao Can)
Enner Valencia (No. 13) of Ecuador shoots during the group E match between Cote d'Ivoire and Ecuador at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Philadelphia Stadium in Philadelphia, the United States, June 14, 2026. (Xinhua/Cao Can)
