Amad Diallo scores sensational free-kick to give Ivory Coast 97th minute win
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Amad Diallo scored his first international goal in style on Saturday by stepping up to score a match-winning free-kick against Burkina Faso in the closing stages.
The youngster, who has made only eight appearances for Manchester United since leaving Serie A, came off the bench just after the hour mark to hand his country the victory.
Following Lassina Traore's opener for the visitors, Ibrahim Sangare levelled the tie with 20 minutes to go, leaving Diallo the chance to score a winner in the seventh minute of additional time.
In what was just his second appearance for his country, Amad, who joined the Red Devils from Atalanta for an initial fee of £19m back in January, was the hero.
Showing composure beyond his years, Amad managed to bend a free kick into the top corner on the goalkeepers side, and was quickly bundled by his delighted team-mates.
The goal would not have come as a surprise to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who has regularly praised the youngster during his first few months in the Premier League.
“He’s still a young lad, he’s 18 but of course we see top, top potential in him,” said Solskjaer in March.
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“He’s a very good lad, very likeable, he works hard. Of course he needs to adapt to a new country, a new language.
“He doesn’t speak English well enough still to feel confident enough to engage in the conversations – but that’s coming, he’s learning.
“We believe he has the attributes mentally, technically and physically to be a top player for us.”
Amad said on his move to Old Trafford: “I’m over the moon to be here.
“I’m so excited to start here at Manchester United. It’s a dream come true and I can’t wait to start and play with the guys. It’s been a little bit strange these last few months.
"I would have hoped to have played a little bit more with Atalanta, but it wasn’t possible.
“Now I’m here and I’m very happy to be here. I’m expecting a lot from my experience here and I’m looking forward to starting.”
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