By Kunle Solaja.

A dramatic late goal from Manchester United winger Amad Diallo rescued Côte d’Ivoire from a frustrating evening and secured a 1-0 victory over Ecuador in their opening FIFA World Cup Group E match on Sunday.

The contest appeared destined to become the first goalless draw of the 2026 World Cup before Amad struck in the 90th minute to hand the Elephants all three points and spark jubilant celebrations among the African side.

The late winner capped a hard-fought encounter in which Ecuador had created several of the clearer scoring opportunities and will feel unfortunate to leave empty-handed.

The South Americans twice struck the crossbar during an entertaining first half and repeatedly threatened to break the deadlock, but failed to convert their chances.

As the match wore on, both teams struggled to find the decisive touch in front of goal, and a scoreless stalemate looked increasingly inevitable.

However, just as players and supporters were beginning to prepare for a draw, Amad produced the breakthrough.

The Manchester United attacker found the net in the final minute of regulation time, ensuring the Elephants made a winning return to the World Cup after a 12-year absence.

The goal denied Ecuador what would have been a deserved point and transformed the mood in the Ivorian camp.

The victory gives Côte d’Ivoire an ideal start to their campaign and leaves them level on three points with Germany at the top of Group E.

Germany had earlier made a powerful statement by thrashing tournament debutants Curaçao 7-1, setting up a potentially decisive showdown between the group leaders in the next round of matches.

For Côte d’Ivoire, the result represents a successful return to football’s biggest stage after missing the last three World Cups. It also highlights the growing influence of Amad, whose composure in front of goal delivered one of the tournament’s most dramatic moments so far.

Ecuador, meanwhile, will be left to reflect on missed opportunities after coming close on several occasions, particularly during a first half in which they twice rattled the woodwork.

Despite the defeat, the South Americans showed enough quality to suggest they remain strong contenders to advance from the group.

But on a night when a draw seemed the most likely outcome, it was Amad’s late intervention that ultimately made the difference, giving Côte d’Ivoire a precious victory and ensuring Group E remains one of the most intriguing sections of the tournament.

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By Kunle Solaja.

Iran’s national football team arrived in the United States on Sunday ahead of their FIFA World Cup opener against New Zealand, stepping into a unique and politically charged chapter in World Cup history.

Team Melli touched down at Los Angeles International Airport after a short flight from Tijuana, Mexico, where they had been based in the build-up to the tournament. The squad’s Airbus A320 landed under clear skies, bringing coach Amir Ghalenoei and his players within minutes of the stadium that will host Monday’s Group G encounter.

The team was expected to proceed directly to its hotel, where heightened security measures were already visible. Police cordoned off sections of the surrounding area and erected additional security barriers ahead of the squad’s arrival.

Iran’s presence in the United States carries significance beyond football.

Their World Cup campaign unfolds against the backdrop of ongoing hostilities between the United States and Iran, making this the first World Cup since the tournament began in 1930 in which a host nation has welcomed a country with which it is at war.

The geopolitical tensions have added an unusual dimension to Iran’s opening fixture against New Zealand, a match that already marks the first-ever World Cup meeting between the two nations.

Iran relocated its World Cup base camp from Arizona to Mexico late last month following heightened regional tensions and military actions involving the United States, Israel and Iran.

Despite the political backdrop, the Iranian squad received an emotional farewell in Tijuana before departing for Los Angeles.

Hundreds of supporters lined the streets outside the team’s hotel, chanting “Team Melli” as players boarded their bus. Many waved to fans and acknowledged the crowd’s support, while members of the delegation recorded the scenes on their mobile phones.

One supporter held a sign declaring, “Iran, you will never walk alone. Mexico stands with you.”

Another memorable moment came when local fans sang in Spanish: “Iran, brother, you are Mexican now.”

The farewell reflected the warmth with which the Iranian team had been embraced during its stay in Mexico, despite the country’s relatively small Iranian community.

Upon arrival in Los Angeles, however, the political realities surrounding Iran quickly became evident.

A group of demonstrators gathered near Los Angeles Stadium, calling for democratic reforms in Iran and protesting against the country’s government.

Protesters carried placards bearing slogans such as “No Shah – No Mullah in Iran – Regime Change by Iranians” and displayed photographs of individuals they said had died following arrests during anti-government demonstrations.

Among those attending the rally was Iranian-American Mojgan Ramezani, who criticised the government’s handling of domestic protests.

“They’re holding hostage their own people,” she said.

Another protester, Hassan Haddadi, expressed frustration over what he described as insufficient international action regarding developments in Iran.

“We’re hoping to bring awareness to the western world, to somehow do something beyond just condemning, to bring an end to this regime,” he said.

Los Angeles is home to the largest Iranian community outside Iran, with tens of thousands of Iranian-Americans residing in the metropolitan area. The community’s size and influence have earned parts of the city the nickname “Tehrangeles.”

Against this backdrop, football now takes centre stage.

Coach Ghalenoei and star striker Mehdi Taremi were scheduled to address the media later on Sunday as preparations continued for Monday’s Group G opener.

For Iran, the immediate objective remains sporting success. Yet their arrival in Los Angeles has highlighted how the 2026 FIFA World Cup, like many major sporting events before it, exists at the intersection of sport, politics and national identity.

When Iran take the field against New Zealand, they will do so carrying not only the hopes of their football supporters but also the attention of a global audience watching a World Cup fixture unlike any other in the tournament’s history.

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By Kunle Solaja.

Japan produced another display of resilience and determination on Sunday, coming from behind twice to secure a 2-2 draw against the Netherlands in a pulsating FIFA World Cup Group F encounter at Dallas Stadium.

A late equaliser from Daichi Kamada ensured Hajime Moriyasu’s side claimed a deserved point after the Dutch had twice appeared on course for victory.

The result leaves Group F finely balanced and further enhances Japan’s reputation as one of the most difficult teams to beat on the world stage.

The opening half was largely a tactical affair with few clear-cut chances.

The Netherlands threatened early when Donyell Malen forced a save from Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki in the third minute.

Japan gradually settled into the contest and began controlling possession, restricting opportunities for the Dutch attack.

Defender Hiroki Ito produced a crucial intervention to deny Malen midway through the half, while Suzuki remained alert to keep out another Dutch effort before Shogo Taniguchi completed the clearance.

Japan nearly struck first just before halftime when Keito Nakamura narrowly missed the target after being picked out by a cross from Ritsu Doan. Moments later, striker Ayase Ueda hit the side netting as the teams went into the break deadlocked.

The match burst into life after the interval.

The Netherlands broke the deadlock in the 51st minute when captain Virgil van Dijk rose highest to head home from a well-delivered cross following a set-piece move involving Frenkie de Jong and Ryan Gravenberch.

Japan’s response was swift.

Just six minutes later, Takefusa Kubo cut the ball back from the byline to Nakamura, who controlled expertly before firing a deflected effort into the bottom corner to make it 1-1.

The Dutch regained the lead in the 64th minute through Crysencio Summerville. The winger cut inside and curled a superb left-footed effort beyond Suzuki to restore Ronald Koeman’s side’s advantage.

Yet Japan refused to surrender.

As time ticked away, Moriyasu’s men continued to push forward in search of another equaliser. Their persistence was rewarded in the 88th minute when substitute Koki Ogawa powered a header toward goal. The ball took a decisive deflection off Kamada and wrong-footed Dutch goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen before finding the net.

The late goal sparked celebrations among the Japanese players and supporters, who had witnessed their team once again demonstrate remarkable character under pressure.

For the Netherlands, the draw will feel like a missed opportunity after twice taking the lead and creating enough chances to secure all three points.

Japan, however, will leave Dallas encouraged by their fighting spirit and ability to recover from adversity against one of Europe’s traditional football powers.

The result keeps both teams firmly in contention for a place in the knockout stage as the battle for qualification in Group F intensifies.

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