Yan Diomande of Cote d'Ivoire during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group E match between Ecuador and Ivory Coast at Philadelphia Stadium on June 14th, 2026. (Photo by Riquelve Nata/Sports Press Photo)
Yan Diomande of Cote d'Ivoire during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group E match between Ecuador and Ivory Coast at Philadelphia Stadium on June 14th, 2026. (Photo by Riquelve Nata/Sports Press Photo)
Yan Diomande produced another eye-catching performance as Ivory Coast beat Curacao 2-0 to progress to the World Cup round of 32, with a tournament first.
Diomande teed up the first of Nicolas Pepe’s two goals as Ivory Coast grabbed three points, to close Group F level with leaders Germany with two wins from three.
The 19-year-old capitalised on a shaky clearance at the back to drive into Curacao’s box and feed the former Arsenal winger for a smart finish just seven minutes in.
Despite only playing 67 minutes, Diomande created the joint-most chances of any player (three) and attempted the most dribbles (six) while completing two.
It means, per Opta, that the winger is the only player this century to complete 10 or more dribbles and create 10 or more chances in his first three World Cup games.
Liverpool’s priority summer target has already made a remarkable impact at the tournament and can now look ahead to a round-of-32 tie against either France or Norway.
Speaking after the victory over Curacao, Diomande insisted his full focus was on the World Cup, despite the heavy interest around his future.
“I don’t know, I’m not thinking about my future after the World Cup,” he told reporters in Philadelphia.
“I’m trying to put all my energy into the World Cup and will see what is going to happen after. I can say nothing about that.”
£100m Yan Diomande bid claims dismissed
Yan Diomande goal celebration (Photo by Tomasz Karczewski/Arena Akcji/Sipa USA) Credit: Sipa US/Alamy Live News
Yan Diomande goal celebration (Photo by Tomasz Karczewski/Arena Akcji/Sipa USA) Credit: Sipa US/Alamy Live News
RB Leipzig have already rejected an opening bid from Liverpool worth up to €100 million (£86.3m), with the Bundesliga club so far holding firm on their asking price of €130 million (£112.1m).
Rumours spread on X this week of a second unsuccessful offer worth €116 million (£100.1m), but Sky Germany’s Philipp Hinze was among those to insists no such reports exist.
“Various accounts picked it up blindly without checking the source,” Hinze wrote on X, after baseless posts from aggregators such as LFC Transfer Room gained traction.
“This was never officially reported by any credible journalistic source. As things stand, there has not yet been a second offer.”
Liverpool are however expected to return with an improved offer for the teenager, who is earmarked as the successor to Mohamed Salah on the right flank.
It remains to be seen if they would meet Leipzig’s lofty valuation but the likelihood is that a compromise will be reached.
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