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FIFA World Cup — Match Report

Late Amad Diallo goal takes Ivory Coast past Ecuador in Philadelphia

Both sides had chances, but it was the Ivory Coast that came out on top in the 90th minute to silence a Lincoln Financial Field crowd mostly wearing yellow jerseys and supporting Ecuador.

,   and  Matthew Mangam
3 min read
Photo: @LaTri

It was nothing short of exciting at Lincoln Financial Field for Philadelphia's first World Cup match as the Ivory Coast stunned Ecuador, winning 1-0 thanks to a 90th-minute winner from Amad Diallo.

Both sides had several chances, but it was the Ivory Coast that came out on top, ending Ecuador's 19-match undefeated streak.

The announced attendance was 68,274, with almost all of those wearing yellow jerseys and rooting loudly for Ecuador. The La Tri supporters created a thrilling atmosphere, full of chants, horns, and cheers that could be heard through the double-paned windows of the stadium's press box.

GAME STATS

Ivory Coast: 1.68 xG, 15 shots, 4 shots on target, 48% possession, 470 passes, 84% pass accuracy, 10 fouls, 3 corners, 1 save

Ecuador: 1.03 xG, 12 shots, 1 shot on target, 52% possession, 494 passes, 85% pass accuracy, 13 fouls, 5 corners, 3 saves

Goals:
• Ivory Coast, Amad Diallo, 90'

Attendance: 68,274

Entertaining first half

Ecuador entered Sunday's match in fine form: La Tri were on a 19-game undefeated streak and finished second in CONMEBOL qualifying after conceding only five goals, the fewest of any South American side.

Ivory Coast, on the other hand, topped its group in qualifying, scoring 25 goals and allowing none. Les Éléphants were riding high off a recent 2-1 friendly win over France, building significant momentum for their first World Cup appearance since 2014 in Brazil.

The game started evenly, with Ivory Coast having more possession early on, but Ecuador was thriving off forcing turnovers and winning the ball back high up the pitch — the exact way its first real chance of the night was created.

In the 23rd minute, John Yeboah pickpocketed Emmanuel Agbadou and fired a shot from outside of the box, but it rattled off the top of the crossbar.

Ecuador nearly took the lead again seven minutes later: Pedro Vite played a nice ball in behind to Alan Minda, who blasted the ball off the crossbar just like Yeboah.

Despite Ecuador's threat, the Ivory Coast was effective with its counterattack. Les Éléphants targeted the left side, as winger Yan Diomande burned past Piero Hincapié several times and created three first-half chances.

Still, neither side could find the opening goal at the break, combining for just one shot on target.

A goal — at last

After Ecuador hit the woodwork twice in the first half, it was the Ivory Coast's turn to do the same: A nice build-up play was nearly finished off by Elye Wahi, whose first-time shot on a volley blasted off the crossbar.

The Ivory Coast continued to look dangerous, though Ecuador gave Les Éléphants a scare in the 68th minute, when Gonzalo Plata forced Yahia Fofana into his first save of the night.

Both sides pushed for the game-winning goal, but it was the Ivory Coast that found the back of the net in the 90th minute when defender Wilfried Singo dribbled all the way up the right wing and found Diallo at the top of the box.

The Manchester United winger hit it with his left foot and into the bottom left corner, stunning the previously-jubilant Ecuadorian fans and giving the Ivory Coast its first World Cup victory since 2014.

After a first loss in 19 games, La Tri will look to bounce back immediately on Saturday in Kansas City when they face a Curaçao side which just lost 7-1 to Germany. Ecuador closes out the group in East Rutherford, New Jersey on June 25 when they face Germany.

Before that, Germany will face an Ivory Coast squad now on the verge of qualifying for the knockout Round of 32 on Saturday, June 20 in Toronto.

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