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A late goal from Amad Diallo earned the Ivory Coast a 1-0 win in their entertaining opening World Cup clash with Ecuador in Philadelphia.
The South Americans struck the woodwork three times with the Ivory Coast also rattling the bar before the Manchester United forward, on as a substitute, found the bottom corner in the 90th minute.
Ecuador carved out the better chances of an entertaining first half, Enner Valencia blazing over the bar after Emmanuel Agbadou’s slip gave him room in the penalty area.
John Yeboah went closer, striking the bar from the edge of the area, and Alan Minda also hit the woodwork after a through ball from Pedro Vite.
Nineteen-year-old Yan Diomande, who has been linked with Liverpool, was lively down Ivory Coast’s right flank, but they were unable to make the most of his raids – Nicholas Pepe dwelling too long on one opportunity and striking another shot into teammate Elye Wahi.
Yan Diomande was lively for Ivory Coast (AP)
Valencia struck the outside of the post at the start of the second half after a neat one-two with Gonzala Plata, but Ivory Coast created the better chances after the restart.
The dangerous Diomande twice fired high and wide after breaking into the box and his cross was turned onto the crossbar by Wahi.
At the other end, Plata’s shot from outside the box was saved by Yahia Fofana while Joel Ordonez headed over from a free-kick, but Amad finally broke the deadlock as he steered the ball inside the post from the edge of the box after a strong run and cross from Wilfried Singo.
Amad said: “We had to stay focused. We knew it was going to be a difficult match because we know the Ecuadorian players – they’re physically very strong.
“We came here to make history. We still have two more matches ahead of us, and we need to approach them with the same mentality and try to win them.”
Ecuador coach Sebastian Beccacece felt his side had put in a “tremendous effort”.
“The final result wasn’t what we wanted, but it’s just the beginning, and we have to keep working,” he said.
PA
