Ivory Coast secured a dramatic opening victory at the 2026 World Cup as substitute Amad Diallo struck a ninetieth-minute winner against Ecuador. Making their first appearance at the global tournament in twelve years, the West African nation snatched all three points in the dying moments of a fiercely contested Group E encounter. Following a powerful surging run down the right flank by Wilfried Singo, Diallo calmly side-footed the ball into the bottom corner to break the deadlock and end the South American side’s impressive nineteen-game unbeaten streak.

Despite the late heartbreak, Ecuador dominated the early exchanges and will bitterly rue a series of missed opportunities during a blistering first-half display. Showcasing intense pressing and creative attacking play, they rattled the woodwork on three separate occasions before the interval. Enner Valencia blazed an early chance over the bar before later striking the outside of the post, whilst both John Yeboah and Alan Minda watched superb curling efforts crash against the crossbar as the Ivorian defence struggled to contain the initial onslaught.

Ivory Coast gradually gained a foothold in the match during the second half, largely driven by the electric performance of nineteen-year-old winger Yan Diomande. The highly-rated forward consistently tormented the Ecuadorian backline with his exceptional dribbling skills, creating numerous openings and shifting the momentum firmly in his team’s favour. The African champions nearly found a breakthrough of their own shortly after the restart when Elye Wahi saw his close-range effort deflect onto the crossbar.

The introduction of Diallo and other key substitutes ultimately proved the difference, highlighting the impressive squad depth at the disposal of the Ivorian coaching staff as Ecuador’s starters began to tire. The hard-fought victory places Ivory Coast second in Group E, sitting just behind Germany following their emphatic win over Curaçao earlier in the day. Ecuador must now regroup quickly and find their clinical edge ahead of a crucial fixture against Curaçao, whilst Ivory Coast prepare for a monumental test against the four-time world champions in Toronto.