Ivory Coast did not make the knockout round in three previous World Cups. Les Éléphant came to the United States set on changing that — and they are off to a great start.
Amad Diallo scored in the 90th minute to lift Ivory Coast to a 1-0 victory over Ecuador in its first World Cup appearance in a dozen years.
“We came here with ambitions and high hopes,” coach Emerse Faé said through an interpreter. “Everything is going well.”
The teams combined to hit the crossbar three times before Diallo — the Manchester United winger who entered as a substitute in the 56th minute — broke through with a left-footed shot from just inside the penalty area that beat diving goalkeeper Hernán Galíndez. Wilfried Singo set up the goal with a strong run down the right side.
“This was a fantastic goal,” Faé said. “(Singo) delivered a wonderful assist to Diallo, and he finished well. Very happy to see just what we worked on.”
