The Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire overcame a stubborn Ecuador side, as substitute Amad Diallo’s late goal secured a winning start that takes them level on points with Germany at the top of Group E after the first round of games in the group. The win also ended Ecuador’s 19-game unbeaten streak coming into the tournament.

Africa’s first three points of the tournament. Amad made sure of it. 🌍🧡#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/tumVE4aDfU

— CAF Online (@CAF_Online) June 15, 2026

The match was a tale of two halves, as Ecuador posed the greater threat in the first half but squandered most of their big chances, including hitting the crossbar twice before the break. The Ecuadorians’ aggressive start left its mark on Cote d’Ivoire, with captain Franck Kessie, Seko Fofana and Guéla Doué all getting booked in the first half. The 2023 African champions mostly threatened on the counterattack, with highly rated youngster Yan Diomande particularly troubling the South Americans. 

The Elephants were much improved in the second half. However, for all their attacking intent, the match seemed destined to become the competition’s first goalless draw until a sweeping move deep into stoppage time changed everything. Wilfried Singo beat Nilson Angulo down the flank before cutting the ball back to the edge of the penalty area, where Diallo arrived to steer a first-time finish past the diving Hernán Galíndez.

The winning goal was Amad’s seventh international strike in 20 appearances — remarkably on his World Cup debut — and it could hardly have come at a better time for the Elephants, who are now joint Group E leaders alongside Germany, who thrashed Curaçao earlier.

Cote d’Ivoire will return to action against Germany on June 20 before facing Curaçao five days later, as they aim to reach the World Cup knockout stages for the first time.

More importantly, Cote d’Ivoire’s victory gives Africa its first win of the 2026 World Cup, after South Africa fell to Mexico in the tournament opener and Morocco was held to a draw by Brazil in their Group C clash. Tunisia will have the chance to make it two wins for the continent when they take on Sweden in about an hour.