2026 World Cup: Ivory Coast stun Ecuador with late winner, Sweden thrash Tunisia

Amad Diallo scored a dramatic 90th-minute winner as Ivory Coast claimed a 1-0 victory over Ecuador at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.

The Elephants secured all three points despite Ecuador dominating large spells of the contest and striking the woodwork three times through John Yeboah, Alan Minda and Enner Valencia. The win marked Ivory Coast’s first World Cup victory in four matches.

Diallo, introduced as a substitute, made the difference with a composed finish after a late tactical adjustment by coach Emerse Fae. The Ivorian manager shifted Wilfried Singo to right-back, and the Galatasaray defender’s surging run carved open the Ecuadorian defence before he delivered a precise cut-back for Diallo to fire home first time.

The victory ended Ecuador’s 19-match unbeaten run and brought an end to Ivory Coast’s 12-year wait for a World Cup win. It also handed Africa its first victory on North American soil at the tournament.

Sweden Thrash Tunisia for Fifth Straight Opening-Match Win

Tunisia suffered Africa’s first defeat of the tournament as Sweden cruised to a commanding 5-1 victory.

Victor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak were among the scorers, but the standout performer was Tunisia-born Yasin Ayari, who netted twice and became the youngest Swedish player to score at a World Cup since Thomas Brolin in 1990.

Ayari opened the scoring with a powerful long-range effort and capped a brilliant display with another stunning strike in the closing stages. Omar Rekik scored Tunisia’s lone goal, while Mattias Svanberg found the net just 16 seconds after coming on as a substitute.

The emphatic result represented Sweden’s biggest World Cup victory since 1938 and extended their record of winning five consecutive tournament openers.

Japan Hold Netherlands in Entertaining Draw

Japan fought back twice to earn a thrilling 2-2 draw against the Netherlands at the Dallas Stadium, with all four goals coming after the break.

Captain Virgil van Dijk gave Ronald Koeman’s side the lead in the 51st minute, but Keito Nakamura levelled six minutes later with a clinical finish.

Crysencio Summerville restored the Dutch advantage on 64 minutes with a superb goal, only for Daichi Kamada to head home a late equaliser and secure a deserved point for the resilient Blue Samurai.

Japan will face Sweden next in Group F, while Tunisia take on the Netherlands in their second group-stage fixture.

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