The countdown to the 2026 World Cup is on! Each day forward of the match’s return to North America, Yahoo Sports will spotlight an perception or second that showcases simply how grand the world’s greatest sporting spectacle has turn out to be — even past the expanded area of this 12 months’s world occasion.
The last knockout spherical place got here down to the last matchday in Group C at the 2014 World Cup. A draw in opposition to Greece would doubtless assist Ivory Coast advance with Japan needing a high-scoring win over group chief Colombia to overcome a goal-difference tiebreaker.
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The Ivorians had been taking part in of their third straight World Cup, however had been unable to advance out of the group in two earlier tournaments. They had been on the brink, and Wilfried Bony‘s 74th-minute equalizer appeared to be the aim that will put them via.
Sports may give hope and likewise take it away.
In the 93rd minute, Ivory Coast’ Giovanni Sio was whistled for a foul on Georgios Samaras inside the penalty to give Greece a last-gasp penalty kick.
Samaras stepped up and cooly beat goalkeeper Boubacar Barry to put Greece via to the Round of 16.
That was the final World Cup match performed by Ivory Coast. They failed to qualify in 2018 and 2022, however made it via AFCON qualifying undefeated with eight wins and two attracts to earn an computerized spot. This summer time, they’ve been drawn into Group E with Germany, Curaçao and Ecuador.