Amad Diallo Nets Late Winner as Ivory Coast Edge Ecuador in World Cup Opener

Amad Diallo came off the bench to score in the 90th minute and give Ivory Coast a 1-0 victory over Ecuador in a dramatic World Cup opener in Philadelphia.

The Manchester United forward steered the ball inside the post from the edge of the box after a well-timed run and cross from Wilfried Singo, handing the Africans all three points in a game that could easily have gone either way.

Ecuador hit the woodwork three times throughout the match, with Ivory Coast also striking the bar, making it one of the more eventful goalless contests you will see before the late winner settled things.

Ecuador were the brighter side in the first half. Enner Valencia blazed over after Emmanuel Agbadou's slip let him in, while John Yeboah clipped the bar from outside the area and Alan Minda also struck the woodwork following a through ball from Pedro Vite.

Ivory Coast's best outlet in the first half was 19-year-old Yan Diomande, who caused problems down the right flank. But the final product let them down, with Nicolas Pepe taking too long on one chance and inadvertently hitting another shot into teammate Elye Wahi.

Ecuador continued to threaten early in the second half, with Valencia hitting the outside of the post after a neat one-two with Gonzalo Plata. But Ivory Coast grew into the game and had the better of the chances after the break.

Diomande twice fired high and wide after getting into the box, and his cross was turned onto the crossbar by Wahi. At the other end, Plata tested Yahia Fofana from range and Joel Ordonez headed over from a free kick.

Then, with the clock running down, Amad made the difference to send Ivory Coast's fans in Philadelphia home happy.

Next up, Ivory Coast face Germany on Saturday 20 June at BMO Field in Toronto, with kick-off at 22:00 WAT. Ecuador return to action a few hours later when they take on Curacao at 02:00 WAT on Sunday 21 June at Kansas City Stadium.