Ivory Coast edged a tense Group E opener at Lincoln Financial Field, with Simon Adingra's first-half brilliance and Elye Wahi's composed late winner proving the difference against a disciplined but limited Ecuador side. The Elephants set the tone early with a high press that suffocated Ecuador's build-up, and it was that relentless energy that produced the opener: Amad Diallo skinned Ángelo Preciado on the right, cut back across the box, and Adingra arrived at the far post to finish crisply into the bottom corner on 23 minutes. Ecuador regrouped at half-time and were gifted a route back into the game when Ibrahim Sangaré's clumsy challenge on Gonzalo Plata gave away a penalty. Enner Valencia, the eternal talisman, sent Yahia Fofana the wrong way to level at 1-1 — his record-extending fifth World Cup goal. The match looked to be drifting toward a draw until Seko Fofana, excellent throughout, slid a perfectly weighted through-ball in behind Willian Pacho, and substitute Elye Wahi showed composure beyond his years to round Galíndez and roll home. Ecuador pushed desperately in the final ten minutes, but Odilon Kossounou and Evan Ndicka held firm. A winning start for the Elephants, who will take confidence into the rest of the group stage.

• Adingra's electric pace down the left flank caused Ecuador's right side persistent problems throughout the first half.
• Enner Valencia's 55th-minute penalty — his 5th World Cup goal — briefly levelled a match Ecuador never truly controlled.
• Moisés Caicedo's yellow card in first-half stoppage time forced Ecuador into a more conservative second-half shape.
• Elye Wahi's 78th-minute winner was his first senior international goal, a composed finish after Fofana's incisive through-ball.
• CIV's high press yielded 7 ball recoveries in Ecuador's half — the platform for both open-play goals.
• Ecuador's xG of 1.4 was almost entirely driven by the penalty and two Enner Valencia headers — their open-play creativity was limited.