Philadelphia, June 15 -- Ivory Coast kicked off their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign in dramatic fashion, defeating Ecuador 1-0 through Amad Diallo's stoppage-time winner in a fiercely contested Group E encounter on Sunday.

The result ended Ecuador's impressive 19-match unbeaten run and gave the African side valuable momentum ahead of a challenging clash against Germany in their next group fixture.

Fresh from a confidence-boosting friendly victory over France earlier this month, the Ivory Coast started brightly and nearly took the lead in the opening stages. Bazoumana Toure tested Ecuador goalkeeper Hernan Galindez with a low strike that forced a full-stretch save.

The first half developed into an entertaining contest, with Ecuador creat...