Greece’s Georgios Samaras buried a penalty kick in the 92nd minute, giving his side a decisive 2-1 lead that ultimately saw it through to the knockout stages. Had Greece not scored, the Ivory Coast was poised to advance by virtue of the draw, but instead, Samaras’ goal propelled Greece to its first-ever knockout match.
It will face Costa Rica, the surprising Group D winner.
Samaras was looking for a late game-winner when sub Giovanni Sio played Samaras’ foot instead of the centering pass, forcing the ref to call the late penalty. Samaras lined up and confidently drilled the ball to his right as Boubacar Barry laid on his back knowing full well that the Ivory Coast’s World Cup dreams were dashed.
Greece, which hadn’t scored a World Cup goal in two prior games, actually took a 1-0 lead into halftime thanks to a costly turnover from Ivory Coast midfielder Cheick Tiote. Andreas Samaris scored off the break and it looked like Greece might be able to advance with just one goal in the tournament. But Wilfried Bony scored an equalizer in the 74th minute, which would’ve been enough for the Ivory Coast. Gervinho played a wonderful centering pass as Bony knocked it past Greece’s keeper.
Into stoppage time we went, both teams fighting for one last decisive goal when Samaras’ foot got kicked as he was preparing for a last-gasp shot. The penalty and subsequent 2-1 win sends Greece into the Round of 16 where it will take on Costa Rica, which soared through Group D’s heavyweights. Don’t expect much scoring as both teams reached this stage because of their respective lockdown defenses.
Source: CBSSports