Ivory Coast 3 North Korea 0 - Ivory Coast bow out with convincing victory
Salomon Kalou(credit:
Wikipedia)
Ivory Coast bowed out of the World Cup with a comfortable 3-0 victory over North Korea.
The Ivorians needed a nine-goal swing to snatch a last-16 place from under the noses of Portugal, and went on the attack from the start.
Didier Drogba had an early header ruled out for offside, but they would not have to wait long for the opening goal.
Arthur Boka raced down the left-hand side and played in Yaya Toure with a precise ball, and the Barcelona midfielder made no mistake to slot home on 14 minutes.
Romaric then cut inside and clattered the woodwork as North Korea reeled, and Boka again played a key role as the Ivory Coast soon made it 2-0.
Boka swung in a cross for Drogba and the Chelsea frontman controlled before firing a shot off the crossbar, but Romaric was on hand to head in the rebound.
Kader Keita volleyed over and Gervinho struck the upright as the Ivorians threatened to run riot.
Emmanuel Eboue went close to adding a third before the break, and there would be no let-up after the restart.
Eboue was then denied by a goalline clearance before North Korea finally fashioned an opening of their own, but Jong Tae Se's drive was well saved by Boubacar Barry.
The Ivory Coast were quickly back on the offensive but Drogba, Salomon Kalou and Gervinho all failed to hit the target with decent chances.
But they did managed a third with eight minutes remaining, Kalou racing in to meet another inviting Boka cross to fire home first time.
Ivory Coast: Barry, Boka, K Toure, Zokora, Tiote, Gervinho (Dindane 64), Drogba, Romaric (Doumbia 79), Keita (Kalou 64), Y Toure, Eboue.
Goals: Y Toure 14, Romaric 20, Kalou 82
North Korea: R Myong Guk, C Jong Hyok, R Jun Il, P Nam Chol, R Kwang Chon, J Yun Nam, J Tae Se, H Yong Jo, M In Guk (C Kum Chol 67), P Chol Jin, A Yong Hak.