Ivory Coast beats Ecuador with 90th-minute winner as Germany get World Cup warning
Amad Diallo scored in the 90th minute to give Ivory Coast a 1-0 win over Ecuador in Philadelphia, a physical contest that warned Germany tougher tests lie ahead in Group E.
Ivory Coast and Ecuador met in a lively Group E encounter at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, with 68,274 fans watching a match that had both teams pushing forward from the start.
Early chances and woodwork frustration
Ecuador created the first clear danger. John Yeboah, the Hamburg-born winger, struck the crossbar in the 16th minute. Seven minutes later, Alan Minda also rattled the bar, leaving the South American side frustrated. Ivory Coast hit back quickly, with Hoffenheim's Bazoumana Touré forcing a save from a tight angle and Elye Wahi missing from close range. The sides went into the break level at 0-0.
Second-half stalemate and late breakthrough
The second half continued at high intensity. Yan Diomande, the 19-year-old RB Leipzig winger, repeatedly unsettled Ecuador's defence, even drawing the attention of Arsenal centre-back Piero Hincapié. Ecuador, backed by a vocal support in yellow, struggled to find a way past the Ivorian backline. A draw looked likely until Amad Diallo, a substitute, slotted home in the 90th minute to give Ivory Coast the win.
What it means for Germany
After Germany launched their campaign with a 7-1 thrashing of Curaçao, this match offered a reality check ahead of tougher group fixtures. Pundit Mats Hummels gave a blunt assessment.
The next two games will be a completely different calibre than Curacao.
Germany play Ivory Coast on Saturday in Toronto, then face Ecuador on 25 June in East Rutherford. Both opponents showed physicality and attacking intent that will demand far more from Julian Nagelsmann's side.
Group E shape
Ivory Coast now sit second in Group E with three points, behind Germany on goal difference. Ecuador, unbeaten in 19 previous internationals, travel to face Curaçao next before meeting Germany. The absence of injured centre-backs Evan Ndicka and Odilon Kossounou was felt in the Ivorian defence, but the win keeps their hopes of a first-ever knockout-stage appearance alive. The crowd of 68,274 in Philadelphia, overwhelmingly supporting Ecuador, added to the feverish atmosphere.
