Ivory Coast: Barry, Eboue, Kouassi, Domoraud, Boka, Zokora, Keita (Kalou 72), Y.Toure, Akale (B.Kone 60), A.Kone, Dindane.

S&M: Jevric, Gavrancic, N.Djordjevic, Dudic, Krstajic (Nadj 16), Ergic, Duljaj, Stankovic, P.Djordjevic, Ilic, Zigic (Milosevic 66).

These two sides were already out but they would not be wanting to go home with nothing to show for their efforts so alively encounter was in prospect.

With the rain pouring down and the self important, apparently clueless Mexican Rodriguez in charge anything was liable to happen. It generally did.

Ivory Coast supplied the early pressure and managed to create and waste several good opportunities. Dindane made a forceful run down the wing but no-one could reach his inviting centre and then the progressive Boka slammed in a shot from distance without troubling Jevric.

Then, in their first real attack, S&M took the lead. Stankovic produced a lovely through ball to release Zigic and the ridiculous positioning of Barry in goal allowed him the simple task of rolling home the opening goal.

S&M were dealt a blow shortly afterwards when Krstajic had to depart injured and his replacement Nadj found himself in the referees' notebook within seconds of his arrival.

Dindane was guilty of a glaring miss from Keita's perfect centre and this looked very costly as S&M immediately went upfield and increased their lead.

Domoraud made the worst mistake of a ghastly performance to gift Ilic possession and he made no mistake.

The game could have been put beyond doubt when Stankovic picked out Zigic with his centre but the header crept just wide of the post.

This time the Ivory Coast made the most of their reprieve by netting soon afterwards. Dudic decided to put his hand to a harmless looking centre and presented the Ivorians with a penalty.

Dindane had to put the spot kick away twice before Rodriguez would allow it to be a goal but the Africans were back in it.

The erratic Barry made a good save from a P.Djordjevic free kick but in general Ivory Coast were well on top.

There was a flurry of action when the ref had to call a foul on a Serbian attacker inside or outside the box and made one of his few inspired decisions by giving it just outside.

At the other end, however, he embarrassed himself by not only not giving Dindane a penalty when he was tumbled inside the area but also chose to book the forward.

The referee then ended the half by showing Nadj his second yellow card for a lunge at Keita. It had not been the most constructive of contributions from the substitute.

Half Time: Ivory Coast 1 Serbia & Montenegro 2

Ivory Coast had generally dominated the first half and now with a man advantage they kept S&M pinned back almost completely.

Gavrancic felled Keita just outside the box as the midfielders threatened to burst through and Jevric earned himself some luck when blocking Akale's shot with his leg.

A.Kone put one effort just wide of the mark and Kouassi send in a tremendous drive from distance that clipped the top of the crossbar on its way over.

When Boka produced a splendid centre Dindane headed wastefully wide but when Keita produced similar service he buried the equaliser that had been coming for a long time.

Jevric made a good save from Y.Toure's long range effort before S&M almost snatched a shock lead on a rare venture upfield.

P.Djodjevic whipped in a lovely free kick but Stankovic, unmarked, could not hit the target.

Y.Toure wasted a chance just as good at the other end before Dudic again conceded a penalty for handball, this time illegally blocking Kalou's shot.

Although Dindane had already scored from the spot and was now on a hat trick Kalou took the kick himself and scored to give Ivory Coast a deserved reward for a spirited contribution to the tournament.

There was still time for Rodriguez to claim centre stage by showing the hapless Domoraud a second yellow for a challenge on Milosevic as a chaotic game came to its end.

Full Time: Ivory Coast 3 Sebia & Montenegro 2

Ivory Coast: Barry 4, Eboue 7, Kouassi 5, Domoraud 3, Boka 7, Zokora 5, Keita 7 (Kalou 7), Y.Toure 7, Akale 6 (B.Kone 7), A.Kone 6, Dindane 8.

S&M: Jevric 7, Gavrancic 6, N.Djordjevic 5, Dudic 2, Krstajic 5 (Nadj 0), Ergic 4, Duljaj 7, Stankovic 6, P.Djordjevic 6, Ilic 7, Zigic 6 (Milosevic 3).

Referee: M.Roriguez (Mexico) 2
I was worried he was only getting so much stick after our game with Paraguay because we're paranoid but this performance showed otherwise.
He would be better off becoming an actor or something. He loves himself and loves being centre of attention. Not the best attributes for being a good ref.

Good:
Ivory Coast have contributed more than most to the First Round of this World Cup and it's a pity they're going home.

Bad:
Mr. Rodriguez. Time for a prolonged siesta for this guy.

Ugly:
As above.