Manchester United winger Amad Diallo came off the bench to score a dramatic 90th-minute winner and hand Ivory Coast a 1-0 victory over Ecuador in Philadelphia.
The substitute produced a moment of magic. After a powerful burst from Wilfried Singo, Amad opened his left foot and curled the ball into the corner to break Ecuadorian hearts. The goal ended La Tri’s 19-game unbeaten streak that had stretched nearly two years.
Amad’s winner was all the more remarkable because he was left out of Ivory Coast’s starting XI for their first World Cup appearance in 12 years. His late strike now gives the Elephants a massive boost in Group E, where they also face Germany and Curacao, and puts them in strong position to reach the knockout stages for the first time in the nation’s history.
Ecuador dominated for long spells but were undone by their finishing. John Yeboah and Alan Minda both struck the bar in the first half, while veteran striker Enner Valencia hit the post from a tight angle after the break. It was Ecuador’s third time hitting the woodwork.
The South Americans, who had kept 12 clean sheets in 19 games under Sebastian Beccacece, didn’t manage a shot on target until the 68th minute when Gonzalo Plata forced Ivorian keeper Yahia Fofana into a save.
Ivory Coast had their own near-miss when Nice forward Elye Wahi crashed a shot against the bar early in the second half.
It looked like Beccacece’s side had done enough to frustrate Ivory Coast’s attack, including star man Yan Diomande. But Amad had other ideas, delivering a finish that could define the Elephants’ World Cup campaign.
