Côte d’Ivoire made history as the first African team to secure a victory at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, edging Ecuador 1-0 in their Group E opener thanks to a dramatic late goal from substitute Amad Diallo.
The Elephants battled a resilient Ecuador side at Philadelphia Stadium, finally breaking the deadlock in the closing minutes on Sunday. Diallo’s decisive strike not only earned Côte d’Ivoire all three points but also ended Ecuador’s impressive 19-match unbeaten streak, which had stretched for nearly two years. The win gave Africa its first triumph of the tournament and put Côte d’Ivoire in a promising position in Group E.
Elsewhere in Group E, Germany kicked off their campaign with a commanding 7-1 win over World Cup debutants Curaçao. Nico Schlotterbeck and Kai Havertz were among the scorers as the Germans dismantled the Caribbean side. Despite the heavy defeat, Curaçao celebrated a milestone, with Livano Comenencia scoring the nation’s first-ever World Cup goal. Curaçao is the smallest country ever to qualify for the tournament.
In Group F, Sweden delivered a statement performance with a 5-1 victory over Tunisia in Mexico. Earlier, Japan staged a thrilling comeback to earn a 2-2 draw against the Netherlands in one of the tournament’s most exciting matches so far.
