Ivory Coast has tapped teenage forward Yan Diomande to start in their crucial Group E World Cup match against Ecuador in Philadelphia.
Diomande, coming off an excellent Bundesliga season with RB Leipzig, will lead the attack alongside veteran Nicolas Pepe. Midfielder Franck Kessie captains the African squad, while Manchester United’s Amad Diallo is on the bench.
For Ecuador, veteran forward Enner Valencia anchors the offense. The South Americans will deploy a disciplined back three of Piero Hincapie, Joel Ordonez, and Willian Pacho-a defensive unit that conceded only five goals across 18 World Cup qualifiers.