◤FIFA World Cup in United States, Canada and Mexico◢ Amad Diallo scores as Côte d'Ivoire pulled off a shock late 1-0 victory over Ecuador..

Côte d'Ivoire pulled off a shock late 1-0 victory over Ecuador in their opening Group E match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico on Monday at the Philadelphia Stadium.

In the first half, Yeboah's long-range shot and Minda's volley both hit the crossbar. In the second half, Wahi's close-range shot also struck the crossbar. At a crucial moment, Amad scored by volleying into the net. Ultimately, Côte d'Ivoire secured a late 1-0 victory over Ecuador. After this round of matches, Les Éléphants are currently temporarily second in the group table with 3 points; La Tri are currently third with 0 points.

First Half

In the 2nd minute, Ecuador launched a quick counter-attack. Gonzalo Plata intercepted the ball and passes horizontally from the right wing. Moisés Caicedo quickly followed up and upon receiving the pass, took a right-footed long shot from just outside of the penalty area, but his shot went wide of the left side of the post.

In the 8th minute, Piero Hincapié crossed into the box from the left wing. Enner Valencia quickly followed up, stopped the ball and adjusted his angle before volleying with his left foot from the center of the box, but his shot flew high and went out of the pitch.

In the 23rd minute, Ecuador launched a quick counter-attack. Emmanuel Agbadou made an error while clearing the ball in his own back half. John Yeboah quickly followed up, intercepted the ball and cuts inside before taking a left-footed long shot from just outside of the penalty area, but his shot unfortunately struck the crossbar and bounced off. Ecuador missed a golden opportunity to break the deadlock!

7 minutes later, Pedro Vite made a staight pass from the attacking third. Alan Minda quickly followed up, got the ball and took a few steps before volleying with his right foot shot from the left side of the box against the outrushing Yahia Fofana, but his shot unfortunately struck the crossbar and bounced off. Ecuador once again missed a golden opportunity to break the deadlock!

Shortly after, Caicedo passed the ball back from the right side of the box. Upon receiving the pass, Yeboah took a left-footed long shot from just outside of the penalty area, but his shot went wide of the left side of the post.

In the 35th minute, Yan Diomande crossed into the box from the right wing. Nicolas Pépé quickly followed up and upon receiving the pass, volleyed with this left foot from the center of the box, but his shot was blocked by Alan Franco.

In the 3rd minute of the first half, Guéla Doué crossed into the box from the right wing. Upon receiving the pass, Wilfried Singo rose high and attempted with a right-footed bicycle kick, but his shot flew high and went out of the pitch.

At halftime, Côte d'Ivoire and Ecuador temporarily enter the break with a 0-0 draw.

Second Half

Both teams switched sides as the match continued. In the 52nd minute, Diomande crossed into the box from the right wing. Elye Wahi quickly followed up and upon receiving the pass, half-volleyed the ball with his right footed from a very close distance in the box, but his shot has unfortunately struck the crossbar and bounced off. This time, it was Côte d'Ivoire's turn to miss a golden opportunity to break the deadlock!

6 minutes later, Seko Fofana horizontally from the left wing. Yan Diomande quickly followed up, got the ball, dribbled and cuts into the left side of the box before volleying with his right foot, but his shot flew high and went out of the pitch.

In the 68th minute, Ángelo Preciado passes horizontally from the right wing. Gonzalo Plata quickly followed up, got the ball and took a right-footed long shot from just outside of the box, but his shot was saved by Yahia Fofana.

In the 82nd minute, Diomande made a straight pass from the left side of the box. Upon receiving the pass, Ghislain Konan volleyed with his right footed from a very close distance at the left side of the box, but his shot went just wide of the bottom left corner of the post.

8 minutes later, Diomande passes horizonally from the right side of the box. Upon receiving the pass, Amad Diallo volleyed the ball into the bottom left corner of the net from the center of the box with his left foot, sealing a 1-0 victory for Côte d'Ivoire! This is the Manchester United winger's second consecutive goal since scoring in a recent shock victory over France! It was also Diomande's 11th assist this season for his club and country in all competitions!

When the final whistle is blown, Côte d'Ivoire secured a shock late 1-0 victory over Ecuador.

Image source: Internet / Associated Press