Day 13: Côte d'Ivoire vs. Serbia & Montenegro

Côte d'Ivoire 3 -- Serbia & Montenegro 2

#19 NIKOLA ZIGIC (Serbia & Montenegro) 10'
#22 SASA ILIC (Serbia & Montenegro) 20'
#15 ARUNA DINDANE (Côte d'Ivoire) 37'(pen), 67'
#8 KALOU BONAVENTURE (Côte d'Ivoire) 86'(pen)

Redemption at last for Côte d'Ivoire as they managed to grab a well-deserved victory over the Serbs in their final game of their 2006 World Cup campaign. Ivory Coast came back from behind in dramatic fashion to win the hearts of many and their first points of the World Cup. Nikola Zigic started off the Serbs in style with an early goal and ten minutes later the Serbs were ahead again with a strike through Sasa Ilic when he exploited a defensive error and slotted home what would be the sealant but the complexion changed as Ivory Coast was awarded a penalty for a blatant handball. Aruna Dindane stepped up to cut the lead down in the first half. The second half was even more promising as the Elephants stepped up the attack and raised the ante, and they were handsomely rewarded when a cross from Keita founs Dindane again who had no problem heading it out of reach of the Serbian keeper. The Ivorians were awarded a second penalty four minutes before the end of regulation time as Kalou's strike was blocked by another hand! Kalou comfortably shouldered the responsibility to take the penalty and duly converted to complete the night for the Ivorians.

Drogba, who has been the architect for the success of the Elephants, would have definitely wanted to play this game but had to watch the game from the sidelines and the world also missed out on a great player's performance. I only hope Ivory Coast will return as will Angola who gave terrific performances and lit everyone's hearts with spirited performances.