Ivory Coast made a dramatic start to the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Sunday, defeating Ecuador 1-0 in Philadelphia thanks to a clinical stoppage-time goal from substitute Amad Diallo. The Manchester United winger, who entered the match in the 56th minute, collected a cross from Wilfried Singo and fired a composed left-footed shot past goalkeeper Hernán Gálindez from just inside the penalty area to seal three crucial points for the Ivorians in Group E.

The match, played at Lincoln Financial Field — a 68,000-capacity stadium in Philadelphia — had been a closely contested affair marked by an astonishing three crossbar strikes. Ecuador's John Yeboah Zamora and Alan Minda both hit the woodwork in the first half, while Ivory Coast's Elye Wahi struck the bar moments after the interval. Ecuador, making their fifth World Cup appearance and buoyed by a predominantly yellow-shirted crowd that transformed the stadium into a virtual home fixture, looked the more dangerous side for long stretches, particularly when Gonzalo Plata unleashed a fierce long-range effort in the 68th minute that goalkeeper Yahia Fofana pushed away at a critical moment.

For Ivory Coast, the standout performer was 19-year-old Leipzig attacker Yan Diomandé, who created five clear chances and posed constant problems for an Ecuadorean defence that included Paris Saint-Germain's Willian Pacho, Arsenal's Piero Hincapié, and Chelsea midfielder Moisés Caicedo. The goal ended Ecuador's remarkable unbeaten run of 19 consecutive matches across all competitions and marked Ivory Coast's first-ever World Cup victory over a South American side, having previously lost to Argentina (2006), Brazil (2010), and Colombia (2014).

Coach Emerse Fae struck a bullish tone after the final whistle.