Amad Diallo’s Late Winner Gives Ivory Coast a Vital 1-0 Over Ecuador

Amad Diallo scored in the 90th minute to give Ivory Coast a 1-0 win over Ecuador in a fast, open World Cup match overnight Sunday to Monday. The Manchester United forward came off the bench and decided a game that featured four shots off the post or crossbar, three from Ivory Coast and one from Ecuador.

The match, played before 60,254 fans, was lively but rough at times, especially in a foul-heavy first half. The midfield was often bypassed as the ball kept moving from one penalty area to the other, and both sides created chances through individual quality and movement off the ball. Ivory Coast had Yann Diomande of Leipzig and Nicolas Pepe of Villarreal in attack, while Ecuador fielded William Pacho of Paris Saint-Germain and Moises Caicedo of Chelsea.

Diallo had not started for Amerse Faye’s team, but his pace and sharpness changed the game after coming on. A big pass from Wilfried Singo found him in the right place to score the only goal. The victory follows Ivory Coast’s 2-1 win over France in pre-tournament preparation and gives the Elephants a major step toward the round of 32.

Ecuador, which finished second in South American qualifying behind Argentina, will regret not taking more from the match after hitting the woodwork. Both teams remain well placed to advance, helped by the other sides in the group, Germany and Curacao. In the next round, Germany face Ivory Coast, while Ecuador meet Curacao in a battle between American teams.