Diallo strikes late as Ivory Coast stun Ecuador
Published: 01:06 PM,Jun 15,2026 | EDITED : 05:06 PM,Jun 15,2026
Philadelphia: Andy SCOTT Manchester United's Amad Diallo struck in the 90th minute as Ivory Coast stunned Ecuador and their huge support to edge a tight affair 1-0 in their World Cup opener on Sunday.
But the 23-year-old Diallo, who had been introduced in place of Bazoumana Toure shortly before the hour mark, had other ideas as he finished first-time from a right-wing cross right just as the game was heading for injury time.
They hit the bar twice in the first half, through John Yeboah and Alan Minda, while Elye Wahi struck the same crossbar for the Ivorians after half-time.
Emerse Fae's Ivorians looked dangerous intermittently, notably when Nicolas Pepe was denied by a last-ditch challenge after Diomande had raced away from Piero Hincapie
Wilfried Singo went on a rampaging run from defence down the Ivorian right, before delivering a low centre for Diallo to score with a sidefoot finish, and silence the Ecuador support. — AFP