Amad Diallo came off the bench to score a dramatic 90th-minute winner as Ivory Coast opened their World Cup campaign with a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Ecuador in FIFA World Cup Group E.
The Ivory Coast national football team winger, who was a surprise omission from the starting XI selected by coach Emerse Faé, made an instant impact after entering the match in the second half. He finished clinically from close range after a surging run down the right by Wilfried Singo, side-footing past goalkeeper Hernán Galíndez to secure all three points.
The late strike was a cruel blow for Ecuador, who had begun brightly and came closest to scoring in the first half when both John Yeboah and Álan Minda struck the crossbar during a dominant opening spell. Their early control suggested they might extend their impressive 19-match unbeaten run, but they gradually lost momentum as Ivory Coast grew into the contest.
After the break, Ivory Coast looked increasingly dangerous, with Elye Wahi also hitting the woodwork as the African champions found rhythm in attack. The introductions of Diallo and Ange-Yoan Bonny added fresh energy and urgency, ultimately tipping the balance in their favor.
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Ecuador struggled to regain their early intensity, while Ivory Coast’s late push was rewarded in the most decisive fashion. Diallo’s stoppage-time finish sparked jubilant celebrations and marked a memorable start to the tournament for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations champions, ending a tense encounter that had remained finely poised until the final seconds.
Fans followed the action through coverage and updates on the Sky Sports App, as Group E delivered an early statement result in a tightly contested World Cup opener.
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