Diallo’s late strike ends Ivory Coast’s 12-year wait for World Cup victory

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Ivory Coast’s forward #15 Amad Diallo celebrates after winning the 2026 World Cup Group E football match between Ivory Coast and Ecuador at the Philadelphia Stadium in Philadelphia on June 14, 2026. (Photo by MAURO PIMENTEL / AFP)

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By Enitan Abdultawab

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Ivory Coast claimed Africa’s first victory at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after substitute Amad Diallo scored a dramatic late winner to secure a 1-0 triumph over Ecuador in Philadelphia on Sunday.

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The Group E encounter appeared destined to end goalless before the Manchester United winger struck in the 90th minute, giving the African champions a crucial three points and ending a 12-year wait for a World Cup win.

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Diallo, who was introduced shortly before the hour mark, met a low cross from Wilfried Singo with a composed side-footed finish to silence the largely Ecuadorian crowd inside the packed Philadelphia stadium.

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The result marked a watershed moment for African football at the tournament following South Africa’s defeat to Mexico and Morocco’s draw against Brazil in their opening matches.

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Ivory Coast, winners of the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations, were forced to withstand intense pressure from Ecuador for much of the contest.

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The South Americans twice struck the woodwork in the first half through John Yeboah and Alan Minda as they sought to break the deadlock.

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The Elephants also had their moments, with Elye Wahi hitting the crossbar shortly after the restart, while Seko Fofana tested Ecuador goalkeeper Hernan Galindez with a powerful effort.

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The match, attended by American rap mogul Jay-Z, was largely a tactical battle between two well-organised sides. Ecuador entered the tournament with one of the strongest defensive records in South American qualifying, having conceded only five goals in 18 matches.

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However, their resilience was finally broken when Singo surged forward from defence and delivered a precise cross that Diallo converted with only minutes remaining.

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The victory is Ivory Coast’s first at a World Cup since defeating Japan during the 2014 tournament in Brazil and significantly boosts their chances of reaching the knockout stages for the first time in the nation’s history.

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Coach Emerse Fae’s side will now turn their attention to a crucial clash against Germany in Toronto, while Ecuador will attempt to recover from the setback when they face tournament debutants Curacao in Kansas City.

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For Ecuador coach Sebastian Beccacece, the defeat was a frustrating start after his side impressed during qualification, finishing second in South America behind Argentina.

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Yet it was Ivory Coast who had the final say, with Diallo’s late intervention ensuring Africa celebrated its first win of the 2026 World Cup.

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