A single, devastating thrust in the final minute of normal time delivered Ivory Coast their first World Cup victory against South American opposition and plunged Ecuador into familiar opening-match despair. With the Group E contest at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field drifting towards a goalless stalemate, Amad Diallo, the Manchester United forward, collected a quick transition from defender Wilfried Singo and drove a left-footed finish beyond Hernán Galíndez. The strike silenced a crowd of more than 68,000, overwhelmingly Ecuadorian, and handed the Ivorians their fourth win in World Cup history — and a first at the tournament in 12 years.

Ecuador will feel the result as a cruel distortion of the balance of play. Sebastián Beccacece’s side struck the woodwork three times, with John Yeboah and Pedro Vite rattling the crossbar in a dominant first half, and Alan Minda later hitting the post. Ivory Coast, too, had a moment of anguish when Elye Wahi’s second-half effort came back off the upright. Yet the South Americans’ profligacy proved fatal. Viewed from Quito, the defeat revived an uncomfortable pattern: Ecuador have now lost their opening fixture at three of their four World Cup appearances, following setbacks against Italy in 2002 and Switzerland in 2014.

Beccacece did not hide his frustration, insisting his team had been “far superior” and lamenting a lack of clinical edge. He also directed anger at the referee, claiming a clear red card for an Ivorian player had been missed. Enner Valencia, the captain, struck a defiant note, promising Ecuador would treat their remaining group games as “two finals”. On the opposing bench, Ivorian coach Emerse Faé celebrated with unguarded emotion, his side having broken a curious taboo: never before had the Elephants beaten a South American nation in the group phase of a World Cup.

The result reshapes the Group E calculus. Ivory Coast travel to Toronto to face Germany with three points already banked, a position of considerable strength. Ecuador, meanwhile, must regroup before meeting Curaçao in Kansas City and then confronting the Germans in their final match. Analysts in London note that the expanded 48-team format keeps alive the possibility of progress as one of the best third-placed sides, but Beccacece’s men can ill afford further lapses in front of goal. On a day when several matches were decided in the dying moments, the Ivorians’ late intervention may prove a decisive pivot in a group where Germany remain the benchmark.