FIFA WC 2026: Amad's late winner steers Ivory coast to thrilling 1-0 win over Ecuador

Credit: FIFA

Philadelphia, (IANS) Manchester United winger Amad Diallo's 90th-minute winner helped Ivory Coast edge Ecuador 1-0 in a breathless FIFA World Cup 2026 Group E contest here at the Philadelphia Stadium on Monday (IST).

The match seemed to be heading for a goalless draw before substitute Amad caressed a shot into the bottom corner to secure his team's first World Cup match since 2014. The win saw Ivory Coast move into second place in Group E behind Germany, who hammered Curacao 7-1 on Sunday.

The first half of the match was wildly exciting. Ecuador almost scored twice, but both shots hit the frame of the goal. First, John Yeboah’s powerful shot from outside the box smashed against the crossbar. Shortly after, Alan Minda got a great pass from Pedro Vite, but his curling shot also hit the bar with the goalkeeper completely beaten.

However, Ivory Coast fought back. Yan Diomande played brilliantly on the right side, constantly making dangerous runs, while Bazoumana Toure hit a low shot that forced a close fingertip save from Ecuador's goalkeeper, Hernan Galindez.

Notably, at 19 years and 212 days, Yan Diomande became the first teenager to make an appearance in a FIFA World Cup match for Ivory Coast.

Chances continued to flow early in the second half, with Enner Valencia smashing a shot off the post from a tight angle. It was then Ecuador's turn to hit the bar. Elye Wahi made a solid connection with his first-time strike but couldn’t keep it down, and it cannoned off the bar.The Ivory Coast began to seize control of the match, enjoying most of the possession as Ecuador retreated. They got their reward for their enterprising play late in the piece when Amad slotted in to send them top of Group E. FIFA WC 2026: Amad's late winner steers Ivory coast to thrilling 1-0 win over Ecuador | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → June 16, 2026

FIFA WC 2026: McGinn's first-half goal sets up Scotland's first win since 1990

Credit: FIFA/Instagram

Boston (US), June 14 (IANS) A first-half goal from John McGinn proved the difference as Scotland secured a first first World Cup win in 36 years (since 1990), beating Haiti 1-0 in the Group C match here at the Boston Stadium on Sunday.

Notably, this is Scotland's first victory in a World Cup opener since their 5-2 win over New Zealand at the 1982 FIFA World Cup in Spain. Moreover, this was Scotland’s first appearance at a men’s World Cup since 1998.

The match started with both teams trading attacks as they tried to settle into the game under the noise of a loud crowd. Scotland soon began to take control, with Scott McTominay heading the ball over the crossbar seven minutes in and hitting the post shortly after.

But, Haiti kept putting pressure on Scotland. However, in the 29th minute, the Scots took the lead. Forward Che Adams controlled a long ball and passed it to Ben Gannon-Doak, who crossed it toward the near post. A Haiti defender blocked the cross, but McGinn was waiting at the edge of the box and pounced on a rebound, firing a shot that took a slight deflection and beat Haiti goalkeeper Johnny Placide.

After the hydration break Haiti found a bit more space creating several half chances. Ruben Providence came closest for the Concacaf nation, cutting in from the wing and whipping a low shot which Angus Gunn couldn't hold on to leading to a frenetic penalty-box scramble.

The second half was just as energetic, but neither team created many good scoring chances. John McGinn had a chance to score his second goal of the match when he found himself open in Haiti's penalty area. However, under pressure from defender Ricardo Ade, the Aston Villa midfielder kicked the ball wide of the net.

Moments later Providence almost created a goal from nothing for Haiti. The winger sent a low cross through the penalty area but Wilson Isidor was unable to connect at the far post.

Haiti had one more chance to level the score late in the game. Frantdzy Pierrot rose above the Scottish defenders to attack a cross whipped in from the right wing. Pierrot, who had been a handful for the Scots all game, made excellent contact but the ball went just wide of the far post.While Scotland go to bed as leaders of Group C, Haiti will look to bounce back in their two remaining matches against Morocco and Brazil. FIFA WC 2026: McGinn's first-half goal sets up Scotland's first win since 1990 | MorungExpres

Read More........ → June 14, 2026

Champions League: Real Madrid, PSG cruise into QF, Arsenal, Sporting CP stage stunning comeback

Credit: UEFA

New Delhi, (IANS) Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain comfortably saw off English opponents Manchester City and Chelsea, Arsenal battled past Leverkusen and Sporting CP mounted a memorable comeback against Bodo/Glimt as the first four teams through to the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals are confirmed.

Real Madrid knocked Manchester City out of the competition for the third campaign running following Vinicius Junior's double.

Man City, 3-0 down from the first leg, came racing out of the blocks looking for the goal that could possibly spark a memorable come back.

But a combination of keeper Thibaut Courtois and several near misses kept the score goalless until a penalty that resulted in Bernardo’s dismissal - and a goal for Madrid on 20 minutes - made an arduous task near impossible.

But City never gave up hope, and deservedly levelled the scores on 41 minutes through Erling Haaland and saw Jeremy Doku and Ryan Ait-Nouri have goals disallowed after the break.

It was always going to be a big ask, but the Blues couldn’t have tried much harder and Vinicius Jr scoring with the last kick to give the Spaniard’s a 2-1 victory felt incredibly harsh.

Meanwhile, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Bradley Barcola and Senny Mayulu struck as PSG cruised past Chelsea with 8-2 aggregate victory in London.

Kvaratskhelia, whose late double sealed a 5-2 first-leg win, held off Mamadou Sarr to fire in from inside the box after six minutes. Barcola had scored the opening goal of the tie six days earlier, and the winger added to his tally by curling in clinically to complete a rapid break by the visitors in the 15th minute.

Half-time substitute Mayulu followed suit 17 minutes after the restart with a superb finish for the holders, who will meet Liverpool or Galatasaray in the quarter-finals, UEFA reports.

Elsewhere, a thunderous effort from Eberechi Eze was the catalyst as Arsenal claimed a quarter-final spot at Leverkusen's expense with a 3-1 aggregate win.

Mikel Arteta's side dominated much of the first half and the visitors relied on their goalkeeper Janis Blaswich to make a series of good saves from the likes of Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard.

Eze's explosive strike on the turn shortly before the break after a smart one-touch passing move finally put the hosts in front, however, and England midfielder Rice stroked in a smooth second to give the Premier League club a deserved 3-1 aggregate success.

Scintillating Sporting CP became just the fifth team in Champions League history to overcome a first-leg deficit of three goals or more as they struck twice in extra time to complete a memorable comeback against Bodo/Glimt.

Trailing 3-0 after last week's first leg in Norway, the hosts made the breakthrough when Goncalo Inácio rose to head in a corner. They kept the pressure on in the second half and got their reward when Pedro Gonçalves finished off a brilliant team move before Luis Suárez converted a penalty with 12 minutes remaining.In extra time Maximiliano Araújo quickly fired in to spark delirium and Rafael Nel slammed in a late fifth as Sporting reached the quarter-finals for the first time since the 1982/83 European Cup. Champions League: Real Madrid, PSG cruise into QF, Arsenal, Sporting CP stage stunning comeback | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → March 18, 2026