Diallo's 90th-minute strike breaks Ecuador hearts in Ivory Coast's winning return

Ivory Coast marked their long-awaited instrumentality to the FIFA World Cup successful melodramatic manner arsenic substitute Amad Diallo struck successful the 90th infinitesimal to unafraid a hard-fought 1-0 triumph implicit Ecuador successful a pulsating Group E clash astatine Philadelphia Stadium connected Monday morning.Making their archetypal World Cup quality since 2014, Les Éléphants looked destined to settee for a goalless gully earlier Manchester United winger Diallo produced a infinitesimal of brilliance close astatine the death. Latching onto Wilfried Singo's surging tally from the close flank, the substitute calmly curled a left-footed effort beyond diving goalkeeper Hernán Galíndez to manus his broadside a priceless 3 points.The precocious victor moved Ivory Coast level connected points with Germany, who thrashed Curaçao 7-1 successful the group's opening match.

Amad delivers erstwhile it mattered most

The lucifer had been an entertaining matter agelong earlier Diallo's intervention. Ecuador, backed by a assemblage of much than 68,000 mostly dressed successful the yellowish colours of La Tri, came adjacent respective times successful the archetypal half.John Yeboah rattled the crossbar with a almighty effort earlier Nilson Angulo besides struck the woodwork aft being played done by Pedro Vite. Despite Ecuador's agleam start, Ivory Coast gradually grew into the contention done the lively Yan Diomande.

The 19-year-old Leipzig forward, who became the archetypal teen to correspond Ivory Coast astatine a World Cup, perpetually troubled Ecuador's defence with his gait and nonstop running. His unsafe deliveries created respective opportunities, including 1 that saw Elye Wahi onslaught the crossbar successful the 52nd minute.

Woodwork denies some sides earlier decisive blow

The 2nd fractional remained open, with Ecuador skipper Enner Valencia and Gonzalo Plata some threatening, portion goalkeeper Yahia Fofana produced a good prevention to support the Africans level.As Ecuador's 19-match unbeaten tally appeared acceptable to survive, Ivory Coast seized the decisive moment. Diallo, introduced midway done the 2nd half, proved to beryllium the difference-maker, sending the travelling supporters into chaotic celebrations with his injury-time winner.Having returned to football's biggest signifier aft a 12-year absence, Ivory Coast person taken a large measurement towards reaching the knockout signifier for the archetypal clip successful their history.They volition adjacent look four-time champions Germany, portion Ecuador volition question to bounce backmost against World Cup debutants Curaçao.