Amazing comeback gives Côte d'Ivoire win

Soccerway - 21 June 2006 22:54

Côte d'Ivoire players celebrate the winner (Action Images)

MUNICH, Jun 21 (SW) - After being two goals down early, Côte d'Ivoire earned an historic 3-2 over Serbia & Montenegro in the final game of the World Cup for both sides, and Serbia & Montenegro's final game as a unified nation.

Early on, the Ivorians dominated and both Aruna Dindane and Arthur Boka caused some problems for the Serbia & Montenegro defense, but both times they failed to capitalize, and that hurt them after 10 minutes.

<b>0-1 Nikola Zigic</b> 10th minute

A perfectly-weighted ball from the right finds Nikola Zigic in front and with one touch he eludes his marker and the goalkeeper Boubacar Barry before slotting hom into an open net for a beautiful opener.

In the 19th minute, the Africans were very unlucky not to score as Arouna Koné's pass from the right side of the area finds Dindane, who has a shot saved well by Dragoslav Jevric. The rebound is pounced on by Kanga Akalé, but his shot went wide.

<b>0-2 Sasa Ilic</b> 20th minute

Veteran defender Cyrille Domoraud loses possession at Barry's left-hand post and allows Sasa Ilic to go around him and slide the ball into the net for a second goal.

For the next 15 minutes, the Ivorians dominated the game, at times enjoying as much as 70% possession, and they got their just reward in the 35th minute when Milan Dudic handled in the area.

<b>1-2 Aruna Dindane</b> 37th minute

After having the first effort called back due to encroachment in the area, Dindane did the same thing the second time around and slotted beyond Jevric, who went the wrong way, to pull one back.

Three minutes later, Barry did well to make a flying save on a Predrag Djordjevic free kick, and before the half ended, the Serbs were down to 10 men when Albert Nadj received his second yellow card after coming on as a sub after fouling Keita.

The Elephants then dominated the possession again at the outset of the second half, but they didn't get their first chance until the 58th minute when a long shot by Akalé was well-saved by Jevric.

Arouna Koné then gave the the Serbs a scare when he hit a bouncing shot just wide of the post with Jevric at full extension, but they got their just reward six minutes later.

<b>2-2 Aruna Dindane</b> 67th minute

A perfect cross to the center by Kader Keita found the head of Lens striker Dindane who made no mistake heading into the corner of the goal with Jevric left helpless.

Just 10 minutes later, the Serbs nearly retook the lead with a rare chance on a Predrag Djordjevic free kick, but Stankovic's free header in the six-yard box went sailing wide.

Two minutes later, Yaya Touré had a free header in the area on a corner kick, but he too was off-target, sending his shot wide of the far post.

<b>3-2 Bonaventure Kalou</b> 86th minute

But with four minutes to go, Dudic again handled in the area as Bonaventure Kalou, who had just come on as a sub, sent a ball into the area, and Kalou stepped up and slotted home to give the Ivorians an incredible lead.

Late on, Cyrille Domoraud earned his second yellow card and was sent off in stoppage time.