Amad Diallo Calls on Côte d’Ivoire to Stay Focused After Ecuador Win in 2026 World Cup
Manchester United winger Amad Diallo scored the decisive goal as Côte d’Ivoire secured a 1‑0 victory over Ecuador in their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers at Philadelphia Stadium.
The game was tightly contested, with both teams hitting the woodwork four times, and looked set to end in a draw until Diallo came off the bench and placed a precise shot into the bottom corner.
The late goal sparked celebrations among the Ivorian squad and fans, but Diallo emphasized the need to keep focus on the upcoming fixtures.
“We needed that win. We came here to make history. We still have two more matches ahead, and we must approach them with the same mentality and aim to win,” he said, as reported by FIFA.com.
Diallo acknowledged the physical strength of the Ecuadorian side and praised his teammates for staying composed under pressure.
“We knew it would be a tough battle because Ecuador’s players are very strong physically. They caused us problems, but we remained focused and composed,” he added.
The victory places Côte d’Ivoire second in Group E behind Germany, which opened its campaign with a 7‑1 win over Curaçao.
The team’s next challenge is a crucial encounter against former world champions Germany at Toronto Stadium on Saturday, 20 June, as they look to build on their strong start and boost their chances of reaching the knockout stage.
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