Sadio Mané’s technical skills troubled Kolo Touré on the right flank, but Senegal struggled to convert their opportunities, with Papiss Cisse and Dame Ndoye displaying some clumsiness. Ivory Coast appeared unrecognizable, and at halftime with a 0-0 score, they seemed poised for qualification to Brazil.
However, the second half brought a different narrative. Senegal managed to break the deadlock when Moussa Sow, substituting for Ndoye, converted a penalty conceded by Didier Drogba. Despite Senegal’s efforts to score a second goal, they fell short.
In stoppage time, Salomon Kalou seized an opportunity, taking advantage of Senegal’s defensive naivety to score and secure Ivory Coast’s qualification for a third consecutive World Cup final phase. The match ended with a 1-1 draw, but Ivory Coast advanced to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
