Ivory Coast's efficiency made the difference in Philadelphia. This Sunday (14), the Elephants - the African team's nickname - defeated Ecuador 1-0 in the match that concluded the first round of Group E of the World Cup. Ecuador, which stopped twice on the crossbar, was left at zero in the table. The Ivorians, who also hit the top post, have the same three points as Germany, who lead Group E on goal difference. Earlier this Sunday, the Germans defeated Curaçao 7-1 in Houston. Ecuador finishes badly Related news: Germany repeats 7-1 over Curaçao, who scores their first goal in World Cups. With a lively final stage, Japan and the Netherlands draw in Group F of the World Cup. The Ecuadorian team took to the field with three names from Brazilian football among the starters: midfielder Alan Franco and strikers Alan Minda (both from Atlético-MG) and Gonzalo Plata (Flamengo). Full-back Angelo Preciado, another from Galo, entered the second stage, replacing Franco. Center forward Enner Valencia, currently at Pachuca (Mexico) and previously at Internacional, started playing. And it was Valencia's first good chance of the game. After ten minutes, he received a low cross from full-back Piero Hincapié on the left and was free, on the penalty spot after a slip by defender Emmanuel Agbadou. The top scorer, however, caught the ball poorly and shot over the goal. Ivory Coast even reached the Ecuadorian area, but without completing the moves. The Elephants only got scared after 16 minutes, with Bazoumana Touré. The striker received it from midfielder Franck Kessié on the left and finished first time, with a cross. The shot, low, went close to the post with a deflection from goalkeeper Hernan Galindez, but the referee gave a goal kick. Ecuador, imposing speed and pushed by the fans, the majority of the approximately 68 thousand present in the stadium, were more dangerous, but lacked efficiency. The South American team even hit the crossbar twice in a span of six minutes. The first at 23, with a long range attempt by striker John Yeboah. At 29, Minda managed to infiltrate from the left after exchanging passes at the edge of the area and shot past goalkeeper Yahia Fofana, but the shot went too high and the ball stopped at the top post. Diallo leaves the bench and decides The intense pace of the match in Philadelphia continued in the second half. With less than a minute left, Valencia crossed the line with Plata, received it back in the area and shot almost from the baseline, hitting the foot of the post. Ivory Coast, however, came back better after the break. The Elephants' standout in the first half, 19-year-old Yan Diomandé, escaped from Hincapé on the right and crossed for fellow striker Elye Wahi, who finished first. After seven minutes, it was the African team's turn to hit the crossbar. With the entry of striker Amad Diallo in place of Touré, at 11, Diomandé moved to the left side and gave Alan Franco hell. At the first opportunity, he escaped the Atlético-MG player, won the tackle from midfielder Moisés Caicedo in the area and finished very dangerously, over the goal. The Ecuadorian response came in the 22nd minute, with a strong shot from Plata from the edge of the area, at 119 kilometers per hour, which Fofana saved on reflex. The South Americans, however, were no longer able to reach the attacking field with the same frequency. The growth of the Ivorian team in the final stage ended up being rewarded in the 44th minute. Defender Wilfried Singo advanced freely from the defense, reached the Ecuador area and rolled the ball for Diallo, first time, to hit the corner of Galindez's goal and decide the victory for the Elephants. The second round of the bracket will be played next Saturday (20). Ivory Coast will travel to Canada to face the Germans at 5pm, at Toronto Field. The South Americans remain in the United States to face Curaçao in Kansas City, at 9pm.