Cote d’Ivoire beat Ecuador to hand Africa first win at 2026 World Cup

Cote d’Ivoire became the first African team to record a victory at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a late goal by Amad Diallo secured a 1-0 win over Ecuador in their Group E opener.

The Elephants had to wait until the closing moments at the Philadelphia Stadium before breaking down a stubborn Ecuador side on Sunday.

Diallo, who came on as a second-half substitute, struck late to hand Cote d’Ivoire all three points and end Ecuador’s 19-match unbeaten run, which had lasted almost two years.

The result gave Africa its first win of the tournament and placed Cote d’Ivoire in a strong position in Group E.

In the other Group E match, Germany began their campaign in ruthless fashion, thrashing debutants Curaçao 7-1.

Nico Schlotterbeck and Kai Havertz were among the goalscorers as the Germans overwhelmed the Caribbean side.

Curaçao, however, had a historic moment of their own, with Livano Comenencia scoring the country’s first-ever World Cup goal.

Curaçao are the smallest country to qualify for the World Cup.

In Group F, Sweden also made a powerful statement with a 5-1 victory over Tunisia in Mexico.

Earlier, Japan staged a late fightback to earn a dramatic 2-2 draw against the Netherlands in one of the most exciting matches of the tournament so far.