The countdown to the 2026 World Cup is underway! Each day leading up to the tournament’s return to North America, Yahoo Sports will feature an insight or moment that illustrates the magnificence of the world’s premier sporting event — especially with the expanded format this year.
The final place in the knockout stage was decided on the last matchday of Group C during the 2014 World Cup. A draw against Greece would suffice for the Ivory Coast to advance, while Japan needed a high-scoring win against group leader Colombia to surpass a goal-difference tiebreaker.
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This was the Ivory Coast’s third consecutive World Cup appearance, but they had failed to progress beyond the group stages in their previous tournaments. They were on the verge of success when Wilfried Bony‘s equalizer in the 74th minute seemed to seal their advancement.
Sports can inspire hope, but can also take it away.
In the 93rd minute, a controversial foul by Ivory Coast’s Giovanni Sio on Georgios Samaras in the penalty area resulted in a last-minute penalty for Greece.
Samaras converted the penalty, as he calmly beat goalkeeper Boubacar Barry, sending Greece into the Round of 16.
This marked the end of Ivory Coast’s journey in the World Cup. They did not qualify for the tournaments in 2018 and 2022 but secured an automatic spot this year after going undefeated in AFCON qualifying, with eight wins and two draws. This summer, they have been placed in Group E alongside Germany, Curaçao, and Ecuador.