Amad Diallo's dramatic 90th-minute strike gave Ivory Coast a 1-0 World Cup victory over Ecuador at Lincoln Financial Field, securing a crucial three points in Group Stage play.
Ivory Coast and Ecuador arrived in Philadelphia with contrasting fortunes. The Elephants sought to build momentum in their World Cup campaign. Ecuador came into the match looking to upset the favorites and make an early statement.
The first half unfolded as a tightly contested affair with both sides probing for openings. Ivory Coast dominated possession with 48% of the ball but struggled to convert chances into clear opportunities. Ecuador remained compact defensively, frustrating their opponents with disciplined positioning.
Tensions rose in the 28th minute when Sékou Fofana received a yellow card for a robust challenge. The booking set a physical tone for the encounter. Three minutes later, Franck Kessié picked up a caution for a foul, indicating the referee would maintain strict control.
Guéla Doué joined the cautioned list in the 40th minute, leaving Ivory Coast operating with three players on yellow. Despite the discipline issues, the Elephants created the better chances in the opening period. Their shot count reached eight by halftime, though only one tested the Ecuador goalkeeper.
Ecuador's Pedro Vite worked tirelessly in midfield to disrupt Ivory Coast's rhythm. The visitors completed 419 accurate passes from 492 attempts, showing impressive passing accuracy of 85%. However, they managed just one shot on target through 45 minutes.
The second half began with both teams searching for the breakthrough. Ecuador gained more attacking impetus after the interval, earning five corner kicks compared to Ivory Coast's three. Jainer Porozo received a yellow card in the 73rd minute for the visitors.
The match seemed destined for a draw as the final whistle approached. Both teams had created chances without capitalizing on them. Ecuador's goalkeeper made three saves to keep the scores level entering the closing stages.
Then came the moment that decided everything. In the 90th minute, Amad Diallo struck decisively to break the deadlock. The Ivory Coast forward tucked away the winner with virtually the last kick of the match, sending the home crowd into raptures.
Diallo's performance earned him an 8.3 rating despite limited minutes on the pitch. Yan Diomande matched that rating through 90 minutes of commanding defensive work, making five tackles and creating five key passes. Wilfried Singo contributed an assist in the victory.
The statistics reflected a closely fought contest. Ivory Coast managed 15 total shots with four on target and an expected goals total of 1.52. Ecuador recorded 12 shots with just one on target and 1.01 expected goals, indicating Ivory Coast's superior chance creation.
This victory proves crucial for Ivory Coast's World Cup ambitions. The Elephants claimed three points from a difficult encounter against a resilient opponent. Both teams will regroup before their next Group Stage fixtures.
