Greece 2-1 Ivory Coast: Cruel ending for Ivory Coast

Although not really attractive, the match between Greece and Ivory Coast was extremely dramatic.

Ivory Coast seemed to have secured a ticket to the round of 16 when they drew 1-1 with Greece until the extra minutes of the match. However, in the third minute of extra time, Georgios Samaras scored from the 11m mark to help Greece take the ticket from the hands of the Ivorians. A very bitter end for the golden generation of Ivory Coast football with names like Drogba and the Toure brothers.

Just before the end of the first half, Greece received a surprise gift from Cheick Tiote when the midfielder misplaced a pass, allowing Samaras to pass the ball to Andreas Samaris, who was facing the Ivory Coast goal. Of course, Samaris did not miss this delicious opportunity to open the score for Greece.

This was a worthy reward for Greece's efforts when they lost two pillars, Kone and Karnezis, after only the first 24 minutes. In addition, the crossbar also denied Greece a goal in the 32nd minute.

In the second half, Greece continued to make the Ivory Coast's crossbar shake with a long-range shot from Karagounis. However, just 7 minutes later, the African team equalized thanks to Wilfried Bony from a pass from Gervinho.

If the score had remained the same, Ivory Coast would have advanced, while Greece and Japan (who lost to Colombia) would have been eliminated. However, the Ivory Coast were awarded a penalty in the third minute of stoppage time, and Samaras scored to help Greece advance to the group stage for the first time at a World Cup.

In the round of 16, Greece will meet the top team of Group D, Costa Rica.

According to Thethaovanhoa.vn