Amad Diallo's Late Strike Ends Ecuador's Unbeaten Run

Ecuador arrived with a record to protect and a rhythm that had survived since September 2024. Nineteen games without defeat. Confidence in every pass. Moisés Caicedo at the heart of it, dictating from central midfield, snapping into tackles, setting the tempo.

For 45 minutes, it looked like that run would stretch on.

Ecuador carried the greater threat in the first half, sharper in transition and braver between the lines. John Yeboah rattled the crossbar with a fierce effort, a warning shot that underlined their intent. Alan Minda then went even closer, also crashing an effort off the bar after Caicedo did what Caicedo does best – winning the ball high, timing his tackle perfectly, and turning defence into instant danger. Minda should have finished. The move deserved it.

Ivory Coast were never passive observers. They carried their own menace, waiting for the right moment to break. After the interval, they nearly flipped the script. Elye Wahi found space and guided a measured effort beyond the goalkeeper, only to see it cannon back off the bar. One woodwork apiece, both sides now living on thin margins.

The game tightened. Legs tired, spaces opened, but neither side could find the final touch. It began to feel like one of those nights: plenty of intent, plenty of near-misses, nothing on the scoreboard.

Then came the twist.

With the clock ticking towards 90 minutes, Ivory Coast right-back Wilfried Singo surged down the right flank, powering forward with purpose rather than hope. He drove into space, lifted his head, and picked out Amad Diallo. The winger didn’t hesitate. One touch, one guided finish, rolled with precision into the bottom corner.

Cruel for Ecuador. Clinical from Ivory Coast.

That single, late strike shattered Ecuador’s 19-game unbeaten run, a streak that had become part of their identity. The margins that had so often fallen their way finally turned against them.

Next up is Curacao, who were thrashed 7-1 by Germany earlier on Sunday. On paper, it looks like the ideal chance for Ecuador to reset. The question now is simple: was this defeat just a stumble, or the first crack in a long-constructed armour?