For much of the night in Philly, it felt like Ecuador's breakthrough was a matter of when, not if. Instead, it was Ivory Coast who walked away with all three points.

A dramatic 90th-minute strike from substitute Amad Diallo gave the Elephants a 1-0 victory over Ecuador in their opening Group E match, rewarding a disciplined performance and punishing a South American side that spent much of the evening wondering how the ball never found the back of the net.

Ecuador arrived at the World Cup carrying the momentum of a 19-match unbeaten run and looked every bit the more dangerous side in the opening half. Their movement and directness repeatedly stretched the Ivorian defense, but a combination of bad luck and missed opportunities kept the match scoreless.

John Yeboah came closest when he rattled the crossbar from the edge of the penalty area, while Alan Minda struck the woodwork after being slipped through by Pedro Vite. Veteran striker Enner Valencia, still the focal point of Ecuador's attack at 36 years old, also squandered a promising opportunity before later clipping the outside of the post early in the second half.

By the hour mark, Ecuador had hit the frame of the goal three times. Yet for all their attacking intent, they never found the finishing touch.

Ivory Coast, making their first World Cup appearance since 2014, gradually grew into the contest after halftime. Nineteen-year-old winger Yan Diomande emerged as the game's most lively attacking outlet, repeatedly driving at defenders and creating openings down the right flank. One of his dangerous deliveries nearly produced a goal when Elye Wahi's effort bounced off the crossbar.

The match increasingly took on the feel of a tournament opener: tense, physical, and decided by a single moment. That moment arrived just before full time.

Wilfried Singo surged down the right wing and delivered a low ball into the edge of the penalty area. Amad, introduced from the bench in the second half, met it first time and calmly guided his finish inside the far post. After 89 minutes of frustration, Ivory Coast had finally found the precision that had eluded both teams all evening.

The goal sparked celebrations among the Ivorian players and supporters while silencing an Ecuador side that had spent much of the match looking the more likely winner.

It was not a flawless performance from Emerse Faé's team, but it was an effective one. They absorbed pressure, survived several scares, and capitalized when their opportunity arrived.

For Ecuador, the result was a cruel reminder of football's unforgiving margins. Three shots off the woodwork and long stretches of control ultimately counted for nothing.

For Ivory Coast, however, the equation was much simpler. One chance. One finish. Three points.

And in a group that also features Germany, that late strike from Amad Diallo could prove invaluable in the race for the knockout rounds.