'They finished, we didn't': Ecuador takes loss to Ivory Coast in World Cup opener

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PHILADELPHIA, PA — For a moment, it appeared that Ecuador and the Ivory Coast would come away with the first scoreless draw of the 2026 World Cup.

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That was until Ivory Coast forward Amad Diallo scored the game-winning goal in the 90th minute.

Diallo's goal not only handed Ivory Coast a 1-0 win at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia to open up Group E play on Sunday, June 14, but it also put into perspective the missed opportunities that Ecuador had, ones that could have resulted in it walking away with three points itself instead.

"They finished, we didn't. We leave with a defeat, but with our heads up," Ecuador forward Enner Valencia said postgame. "Heads up, knowing that this just started, and we've got a whole tournament ahead. We've got two more matches, so now we need to rest and prepare for those."

Ecuador started the match with controlled possession and created some early looks goal against Ivory Coast's defense. That included one in the 23rd minute when John Yeboah recovered the ball and moved through a pair of defenders, but the shot hit the crossbar.

That'd be one of several Ecuador kicks in the half that rattled the crossbar in a seven-minute span. The next came off a pinpoint delivery from Pedro Vite, who slipped a perfect pass into the 6‑yard box for midfielder Alan Minda, setting up a clean 1‑on‑1 with Ivory Coast goalkeeper Yahia Fofana. Minda’s attempt, though, lifted too high and smashed off the right corner of the woodwork before ricocheting back into play.

Both teams came out attacking in the second half, with the Ivory Coast slowly changing its pace of play, which could slow down Ecuador's offense by a tick of a second compared to what it was looking like in the opening 45 minutes of play.

Ecuador had two strong opportunities to break the ice in the second half, including a free kick just outside the 18-yard box that hit off a player inside the box, but neither would be converted. Ecuador's best look and chance of the half — and perhaps the game — came in the 68th minute when Gonzalo Plata fired a shot from outside the 18-yard box, but Fofana made a diving save with his hands to push it to the right.

In Diallo's game-winner, Ecuador's defense was unable to recover from The Elephants' attack up the field, which started with Wilfried Singo breaking loose up the right flank and finding Diallo just past the start of the 18-yard box for the left-footed finisher.

The loss for Ecuador snaps its 19-game unbeaten streak, handing La Tri its first defeat since 2024.

Despite the heartbreaking loss, the missed chances at the net and starting with a defeat in group play, Valencia said Ecuador’s belief in their World Cup path remains intact, insisting the team’s mindset won’t shift because of one setback.

"We've been worse. The truth is, this group has known how to push forward through much tougher situations than this one," Valenica said. "This is going to be one more test for us. I know we're able to get through it, and you have to keep believing that we can do it. I know every one of us is going to think like that."

Ecuador is back in action on Saturday, June 20 when it travels to Kansas City to face Curaçao at 8 p.m. ET. 

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ecuador can't capitalize on chances in World Cup loss vs Ivory Coast

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