A. Diallo, introduced as a second-half substitute, settled a tight Group E contest with a normal goal in the 90th minute, assisted by W. Singo, to give Ivory Coast a 1-0 win over Ecuador at Lincoln Financial Field. It was the only shot on target in the match from either side — both teams managed six shots apiece — and it came deep into stoppage time after 89 minutes without a goal. Ecuador, who held 55 percent of the ball and generated an xG of 0.54, could not convert any of their six efforts, with none troubling the goalkeeper.

Ivory Coast take three points from their opening Group E fixture. Ecuador, who had the greater share of possession but no shots on target, leave with nothing from the game. Ivory Coast carried three yellow cards — to S. Fofana, F. Kessie, and G. Doue — through the first half, a disciplinary burden they managed to contain across the second. Both squads will return for their next group stage fixtures with Ivory Coast holding the early advantage at the top of Group E.

Doué, booked in the 40th minute, was withdrawn in the 89th — one minute before the decisive goal — with O. Kossounou coming on in his place. A. Diallo, who had entered at the 56th-minute mark replacing A. Bonny, scored with effectively his first notable contribution to settle the contest.