Ivory Coast stunned Ecuador with a 90th-minute winner to open their 2026 FIFA World Cup (WC) Group E campaign with a 1-0 victory, ending La Tricolor’s 19-game unbeaten run.
Buoyed by a statement-friendly win over France earlier this month, the Ivory Coast went close to netting an early opener when Bazoumana Toure’s composed shot forced Hernan Galindez to make a low stop at full stretch.
That proved to be one of several promising chances in a fast-paced first-half that saw Ecuador strike the frame of Yahia Fofana’s goal either side of the hydration break.
First, John Yeboah nearly benefited from Sebastian Beccacece’s high-press approach when he pounced on Emmanuel Agbadou’s miscontrol outside the box and whipped a fierce left-foot shot against the crossbar, before Alan Minda found the same piece of woodwork after being sent through on goal by Pedro Vite’s deft through ball.
Once play resumed in the second period, that same crossbar continued to be a source of frustration, but this time, it denied Ivory Coast forward Elye Wahi, who swept a first-time effort against the woodwork after being teed up by the dangerous Yan Diomande.
After weathering a period of Ivory Coast pressure, La Tri finally rediscovered their threat from the first period when Gonzalo Plata stung the goalkeeper’s gloves with a powerful drive that energised the significant Ecuadorian support in Philadelphia.
While they could not find a way past Fofana, the South Americans appeared to be on course for a useful point until they were left stunned by Amad Diallo’s dramatic, late winner.
Wilfried Singo powered forward from his own half and drove into the box before he laid the ball across for the Manchester United star to guide it out of Galindez’s reach, condemning Ecuador to their first defeat since September 2024.
The jubilant victors will now carry momentum into a difficult clash against four-time WC winners Germany, while La Tri now know they can ill afford to slip up against tournament debutants Curaçao if they are to avoid a repeat of their group-stage exit in Qatar.
