PHILADELPHIA : Substitute Amad Diallo scored a 90th-minute winner as Ivory Coast edged Ecuador 1-0 in an entertaining Group E clash on Sunday, ending the South Americans’ 19-match unbeaten run.
The breakthrough finally arrived when Wilfried Singo surged down the right flank and picked out Amad inside the penalty area. The Manchester United forward took his chance calmly, guiding a precise finish into the far corner from the edge of the box.
The result handed Ivory Coast a valuable three points in their opening World Cup match and left Ecuador to rue a series of missed opportunities.
Ecuador came closest to breaking the deadlock in the first half when John Yeboah rattled the crossbar with a powerful effort from distance. Alan Minda then struck the woodwork after racing onto a pass from Pedro Vite and beating the goalkeeper.
Ivory Coast responded with chances of their own, largely created by teenage winger Yan Diomande, who was a constant threat with his pace and dribbling ability.
Diomande weaved past two defenders before firing over from a promising position and later supplied Elye Wahi, whose effort crashed against the crossbar.
Despite Ecuador’s bright start, Ivory Coast gradually took control after the break and were rewarded with Amad’s late intervention.
“The game slipped away from us,” Ecuador midfielder Moises Caicedo said.
“We played well, and they gave it their all too. It’s tough to start off on the back foot, but this is just the beginning. We can’t let our spirits drop, and there are two more finals coming up. We’re going to bounce back.”
Caicedo also thanked the Ecuadorian supporters who turned out in large numbers.
“We’re leaving sad because we couldn’t bring joy to the fans who came out. It felt like we were playing in Guayaquil or Quito. But we’ll fight until the end to bring them joy.”
Ivory Coast coach Emerse Fae said his side improved significantly after the interval.
“We went back to the dressing room at 0-0 and in the second half we told ourselves we would have more space and should keep focus because in the first half we lost the ball,” he said.
In the other Group E match, Germany began their campaign in emphatic fashion with a 7-1 victory over World Cup debutants Curacao in Houston.
Germany will face Ivory Coast on Saturday in a match that could determine top spot in the group, while Ecuador take on Curacao looking to revive their qualification hopes.
