2026 World Cup: Ivory Coast Beat Ecuador, Sweden Humble Tunisia, Japan Steal Draw

Manchester United winger Amad Diallo came off the bench to score a dramatic late winner as Ivory Coast defeated Ecuador 1-0 in Philadelphia and boosted their hopes of reaching the World Cup knockout rounds for the first time.

The decisive moment arrived in the 90th minute when Amad guided the ball into the bottom corner with a composed left-footed finish after a surging run from Wilfried Singo.

The goal ended Ecuador’s 19-match unbeaten streak, a run that had stretched close to two years.

Amad’s omission from the starting line-up raised eyebrows before kick-off, especially with Ivory Coast making their first World Cup appearance in 12 years. The winger, however, delivered when it mattered most.

Ecuador came close on several occasions but were denied by the woodwork. John Yeboah and Alan Minda both struck the crossbar in the first half, while veteran striker Enner Valencia hit the post after the break.

Ivory Coast also rattled the bar through Elye Wahi early in the second half.

Despite Ecuador’s attacking threat, their first effort on target did not arrive until the 68th minute when Gonzalo Plata forced Yahia Fofana into action.

Sebastian Beccacece’s side, who had recorded 12 clean sheets in their previous 19 matches, appeared on course for another disciplined defensive display before Amad’s late intervention settled the match.

The result leaves Ivory Coast in a strong position in Group E, which also features Germany and Curaçao.

Isak Inspires Sweden to Opening Victory

Alexander Isak marked his World Cup debut with a goal as Sweden cruised to a convincing 5-1 win over Tunisia in Monterrey.

The Liverpool striker, making his first appearance on football’s biggest stage, doubled Sweden’s lead after half an hour with a powerful finish following a driving run from the left.

The move began with Viktor Gyokeres, who shrugged off his marker near halfway before releasing his strike partner.

Sweden had already gone ahead after seven minutes when Brighton midfielder Yasin Ayari punished poor defending with a thunderous strike into the top corner.

Ayari chose not to celebrate against the country of his father’s birth after becoming Sweden’s youngest World Cup scorer since Tomas Brolin in 1990.

Tunisia pulled a goal back shortly before half-time through Omar Rekik, who headed home from Hannibal Mejbri’s free-kick.

Any hopes of a comeback quickly faded. Isak turned creator in the second half, setting up Gyokeres before providing another assist for substitute Mattias Svanberg.

Svanberg made history by scoring just 12 seconds after entering the pitch, the fastest goal by a substitute in World Cup history.

Ayari capped an outstanding display with another long-range effort as Graham Potter’s side moved to the top of Group F.

Kamada Rescues Japan Against Netherlands

Daichi Kamada struck late to earn Japan a deserved 2-2 draw against the Netherlands in a gripping Group Stage encounter in Dallas.

The match took time to ignite but produced a thrilling finale after the halftime break.

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk opened the scoring six minutes into the second half, rising highest to meet Ryan Gravenberch’s cross.

Japan responded quickly. Keito Nakamura levelled in the 57th minute with a fierce low drive that slipped past Dutch goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.

The Netherlands regained the lead seven minutes later through Crysencio Summerville, who cut inside and fired beyond Zion Suzuki.

Japan continued to push forward and were rewarded in the 88th minute. Kamada cleverly redirected Koki Ogawa’s effort with a glancing header to spark celebrations among the thousands of Japanese supporters inside the stadium.

Ronald Koeman’s side had created the better openings before the break, with Donyell Malen repeatedly testing Suzuki, but they were unable to hold on for all three points.