Ivory Coast were dealt a sickening blow tonight as they were dumped out of the World Cup by Greece thanks to a stoppage time penalty.
The Cote D’Ivoire needed only a point from their final game as Colombia were already home and dried in Group C, and they were also running riot against Japan, eventually running out 4-1 victors to top the group.
With Japan getting hammered and heading for rock bottom in the group, the game between Greece and Ivory Coast entered stoppage time tied at 1-1, enough to put Ivory Coast through.
Andreas Samaris had capitalised on a defensive mistake to put Greece ahead shortly before the break, but Wilfried Bony had put his team on level terms in the second half, a goal that looked like being enough to see Cote D’Ivoire through.
However, after missing a tremendous chance to lead 2-1 themselves, Les Éléphants were countered by the Greeks. A ball in from the left found departing Celtic man Georgios Samaras who was clipped by Giovanni Sio as he went to shoot, and Greece had a penalty.
Samaras made no mistake from the spot spark scenes of jubilant celebrations, the first time the Euro 2004 winners have ever been beyond the group stage at a World Cup.