Diallo's 90th-minute goal lifts Ivory Coast past Ecuador 1-0 in World Cup

Ivory Coast did not make the knockout round in three
previous World Cups. Les Éléphant came to the United States set on changing
that, and they are off to a great start.
Amad Diallo scored in the 90th
minute to lift Ivory Coast to a 1-0 victory over Ecuador in its first World Cup
appearance in a dozen years.
"We came here with ambitions
and high hopes," coach Emerse Faé said through an interpreter.
"Everything is going well."
The teams combined to hit the crossbar three times before Diallo — the
Manchester United winger who entered as a substitute in the 56th minute — broke
through with a left-footed shot from just inside the penalty area that beat
diving goalkeeper Hernán Galíndez. Wilfried Singo set up the goal with a strong
run down the right side.
"This was a fantastic
goal," Faé said. "(Singo) delivered a wonderful assist to Diallo, and
he finished well. Very happy to see just what we worked on."
Ecuador saw its 19-game unbeaten
streak end with its first loss since a 1-0 decision against Brazil on Sept. 6,
2024.
"It hurts," Ecuador coach
Sebastián Beccacece said through an interpreter. "This is a very painful
situation. It needs to make you stronger for the future."
Elye Wahi hit the crossbar in the
52nd minute for Ivory Coast after Ecuador's John Yeboah and Nilson Angulo did
the same in the opening half.
Ecuador, making its fifth World Cup
appearance and looking to reach the knockout round for the second time, was
playing a virtual home game at Lincoln Financial Field, with most of the
capacity crowd of 68,274 wearing the yellow jerseys of La Tri.
"I am very sorry we did not
give our fans the joy they came to seek," Beccacece said.
Ecuador looked strong before
Diallo's goal. Its best chance after halftime came in the 68th minute on
Gonzalo Plata's hard shot from about 25 yards out that was parried away by
goalkeeper Yahia Fofana.
"We're leaving with a loss,
but we're keeping our heads held high knowing that this is just the beginning
and there's still a tournament ahead of us," Ecuador captain Enner
Valencia said.
Ivory Coast was bolstered by the
forward play of Yan Diomande. The Leipzig attacker created several scoring
chances, particularly down the right side. That included Wahi's near goal on a
flick following Diomande's hard cross.
"He is very talented,"
Faé said. "Incredible player."
Ivory Coast, which did not concede
a goal while going 8-0-2 in 10 qualifying matches, will next face four-time
World Cup champion Germany, which defeated Curacao 7-1 earlier Sunday in Group
E. Ecuador will meet Curacao. Both matches will be played June 20.
Ivory Coast captain Franck Kessié
set the tone for the physical play of Les Éléphant with a hard foul in the
fourth minute. Kessié went on to pick up one of three yellow cards for his
side, all for reckless challenges, in the opening 45 minutes. Jackson Porozo of
Ecuador was cautioned in the 73rd minute.
"We know that high-level
football requires much intensity," Faé said.
















