Utd's Amad scores late as Ivory Coast top Ecuador

A late goal from Amad Diallo earned the Ivory Coast a 1-0 win in and end-to-end opening World Cup clash with Ecuador in Philadelphia.

>The South Americans struck the woodwork three times with the Ivory Coast also rattling the bar before the Manchester United forward, on as a substitute, found the bottom corner in the 90th minute.

>Ecuador carved out the better chances of an entertaining first half, Enner Valencia blazing over the bar after Emmanuel Agbadou's slip gave him room in the penalty area.

>John Yeboah went closer, striking the bar from the edge of the area, and Alan Minda also hit the woodwork after a through ball from Pedro Vite.

>Nineteen-year-old Yan Diomande was lively down Ivory Coast's right flank, but they were unable to make the most of his raids -- Nicholas Pepê dwelling too long on one opportunity and striking another shot into teammate Elye Wahi.

>Valencia struck the outside of the post at the start of the second half after a neat one-two with Gonzala Plata, but Ivory Coast created the better chances after the restart.

>The dangerous Diomande twice fired high and wide after breaking into the box and his cross was turned onto the crossbar by Wahi.

>At the other end, Plata's shot from outside the box was saved by Yahia Fofana while Joel Ordóñez headed over from a free kick, but Amad finally broke the deadlock as he steered the ball inside the post from the edge of the box after a strong run and cross from Wilfried Singo.