Man United's Amad scores late as Ivory Coast edge Ecuador

A late goal from Amad Diallo earned the Ivory Coast a 1-0 win in and end-to-end 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 was lively down Ivory Coast's right flank, but they were unable to make the most of his raids -- Nicholas Pepê dwelling too long on one opportunity and striking another shot into teammate Elye Wahi. 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 Ordóñez 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.