CÔTE D'IVOIRE 3-2 SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO

21 June 2006

Côte d'Ivoire produced a stirring finale to their first-ever FIFA World Cup™ adventure, coming from two goals down to clinch a stunning 3-2 win over Serbia and Montenegro.

The FIFA World Cup Stadium Munich witnessed a terrific match, one of Germany 2006's best to date, and the Ivorian Elephants thoroughly deserved the victory secured by goals from Aruna Dindane and Bonaventure Kalou, after earlier strikes from Nikola Zigic and Sasa Ilic had put the Serbo-Montenegrins 2-0 in front.

As if that drama wasn't enough, there were also a couple of red cards in this match, with Albert Nadj's 46th-minute dismissal a key factor in tipping the balance in favour of a Côte d'Ivoire side who lost captain Cyrille Domoraud in added time.

Despite their first FIFA World Cup victory, Côte d'Ivoire finish third in Group C with three points while Serbia and Montenegro go home without a point, having conceded 10 goals.

The match:
6‘: The match started briskly, with the ball zipping across turf which had been soaked by a huge storm which broke 90 minutes before kick-off. It was still pouring with rain when Arthur Boka had the first shot of the night, but the Côte d’Ivoire defender was well wide of the mark.

10‘: Serbia and Montenegro scored their first ever FIFA World Cup™ finals goal when captain Dejan Stankovic played a cross-field pass from just inside the Côte d’Ivoire half and Nikola Zigic nipped in between Blaise Kouassi and his hesitant goalkeeper Boubacar Barry to control the ball and slide it into an unguarded net (0-1).

16‘: Serbia and Montenegro’s Mladen Krstajic was forced to go off injured after an innocuous-looking accidental challenge led to what looked like a broken arm. He was replaced by Albert Nadj, who was booked almost immediately.

18‘: Côte d’Ivoire came close to an equaliser when Kader Keita broke free down the right and reached the by-line before pulling it back to Aruna Dindane, but his shot was saved by the trailing leg of Dragoslav Jevric and Kanga Akale could not turn home the rebound from very close range.

20‘: Serbia and Montenegro profited from another defensive error as Predrag Djordjevic curled a hopeful cross into the box and when Cyrille Domoraud failed to control it, Sasa Ilic gratefully pounced to turn in the second goal (0-2).

37‘: Serbia and Montenegro conceded a penalty when Milan Dudic handled Boka’s cross from the left. Dindane did well to hold his nerve with a twice-taken penalty, scoring both times with identical kicks amid a cacophony of whistles and a frightening clap of thunder after his first attempt was ruled out for player encroachment (1-2).

39‘: Djordevic forced Barry into a smart save with a well-driven free-kick from 20 metres out.

46+‘: Serbia and Montenegro substitute Nadj was sent off for his second yellow card.

Tricky conditions
57‘: The incessant rain made it difficult for the players to control the ball and after an untidy passage of play, Côte d’Ivoire forced Jevric into another unconventional save. Boka had a free-kick charged down by Ilic and Akale blasted the rebound at goal but Jevric once again saved with his leg.

61‘: Arouna Kone had two attempts for Côte d’Ivoire, the first charged down by Goran Gavrancic, the second was dragged wide.

62‘: A fantastic shot from 25 metres by Kouassi had a helpless Jevric beaten all ends up but it smacked against the crossbar.

63‘: As Côte d’Ivoire piled on the pressure, Dindane’s header went centimetres wide.

67‘: The equaliser Côte d’Ivoire had been threatening to score came when Dindane steered in Keita’s cross with his head to claim his second goal of the game (2-2).

71‘: Yaya Toure clipped a firm shot at Jevric but this time clutched it by taking the ball straight into his chest.

77‘: Stankovic ghosted into the Côte d’Ivoire penalty area unmarked but could only guide Djordevic’s inviting free-kick a metre the wrong side of Barry’s left-hand post.

86‘: Côte d’Ivoire’s remarkable comeback is complete after their second penalty award when Bonaventure Kalou’s shot was handled by Dudic. Kalou stepped up and made no mistake from the spot (3-2).

92+‘: In stoppage time, Côte d’Ivoire’s Domoraud was sent off for his second yellow card.

In conclusion:
With both teams already eliminated and little but pride at stake, they threw caution to the wind – and rain – to produce a fabulous contest. Côte d’Ivoire emerged victorious despite conceding two early goals for a well-deserved win.