▲ Ivory Coast players celebrate
Ivory Coast secured a valuable victory in its return to the World Cup after 12 years, thanks to a winning goal by Amad Diallo in the 90th minute.
Ivory Coast defeated Ecuador 1-0 in the first match of Group E for the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Philadelphia Stadium in Pennsylvania, USA.
Returning to the World Cup for the first time since the 2014 tournament, Ivory Coast has taken a major step toward reaching the knockout stage for the first time in its history.
Ivory Coast was eliminated in the group stage in all three of its previous appearances: Germany 2006, South Africa 2010, and Brazil 2014.
In the other Group E match held earlier, Germany routed Curacao 7-1 to take the top spot, leaving Ivory Coast in second place.
In the first half, Ecuador applied strong pressure based on high ball possession, while Ivory Coast’s Yann Diomande looked sharp on the right flank, but neither team managed to score.
Ecuador pushed hard from the beginning of the match but was unlucky, hitting the goal frame twice and missing several scoring opportunities.
In the 23rd minute, Ecuador's John Yeboah fired a left-footed mid-range shot from outside the penalty box, but it struck the crossbar.
Continuing to knock on the door, Ecuador was left frustrated again in the 30th minute when a promising right-footed shot by Alan Minda from the center of the penalty box also hit the crossbar.
Under pressure, Ivory Coast struggled defensively, with Seko Fofana, Franck Kessie, and Guela Doue receiving consecutive yellow cards starting in the 28th minute as they resorted to aggressive play to fend off Ecuador's offensive.
In the 35th minute, Diomande broke through the right side and set up a one-on-one chance for Nicolas Pepe in front of the goal, but Pepe’s left-footed shot missed the target.
In the second half, Ivory Coast pushed its defensive line higher and launched a fierce attack.
In the 52nd minute, Elye Wahi fired a powerful right-footed shot from the center of the penalty area, but it rattled the crossbar.
Ecuador, having been pushed back, responded with intermittent counterattacks.
In the 68th minute, Gonzalo Plata unleashed a powerful mid-range shot from outside the penalty box, but it went straight to Ivory Coast goalkeeper Yahia Fofana.
Ivory Coast, which maintained control and continued to attack, finally scored the winning goal in the 90th minute, just before the end of regulation time.
Wilfried Singo completely dismantled the opponent's right-side defense, penetrated near the goal area, and delivered a low, fast cross into the center.
Diallo finished with a concise left-footed shot, accurately finding the bottom left corner of the Ecuador goal.
Ivory Coast held on through seven minutes of second-half stoppage time to secure the 1-0 victory.
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.