Manchester United winger Amad Diallo has become the youngest goalscorer in Ivory Coast’s FIFA World Cup history after netting a dramatic late winner against Ecuador on his tournament debut.
The 23-year-old forward achieved the feat at the age of 23 years and 11 months during Monday’s Group E opening fixture as confirmed by journalist Fabrizio Romano. Diallo entered the tightly contested match at Philadelphia Stadium as a 56th-minute substitute before breaking the deadlock in the 90th minute to secure a vital 1-0 victory for the Elephants according to reports from the Associated Press.
The decisive breakthrough materialized when defender Wilfried Singo executed a powerful individual run down the right flank, sending a precise cross into the penalty area. Diallo capitalized on the delivery, striking a first-time, left-footed shot into the bottom left corner to beat Ecuadorian goalkeeper Hernán Galíndez as documented by Reuters.
The late intervention capped off a physical match where Ecuador had initially dominated the first half, hitting the crossbar twice through an aggressive offensive line. Diallo’s history-making strike successfully brings an end to Ecuador’s remarkable 19-match unbeaten streak and positions the reigning Africa Cup of Nations holders strongly at the top of Group E alongside Germany, who previously defeated Curaçao 7-1.
Head coach Emerse Faé will now prepare his squad for their second group fixture, where a positive result would put Ivory Coast on the verge of securing a place in the Round of 32.
