Ecuador suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat against Ivory Coast in their first match of the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign. The decisive goal was scored by Amad Diallo in the 90th minute, dashing Ecuador’s hopes for a positive start. The match was keenly anticipated as Ecuador began its journey toward qualification for the expanded tournament. The loss marks a disappointing beginning for the Ecuadorian national team and places immediate pressure on upcoming fixtures. Reports from Ecuadorian media express dismay over the late goal and the overall result. The team will need to regroup quickly to address the setback and improve performance in future qualifying matches. This defeat highlights the competitive nature of the qualifying process and the challenges Ecuador faces.