Dindane double elevates Elephants

Ivory Coast 3 Serbia & Montenegro 2

Early goals from giant striker 6ft 8in Nikola Zigic and Sasa Ilic, both the result of poor defending, put Serbia and Montenegro firmly in control in what could be their last match before the country splits into two nations.

However, Dindane’s penalty, following a handball bordering on the ridiculous by Milan Dudic, allowed the African side back into the match while Serbia and Montenegro were then reduced to 10 men before the break by the sending off of substitute Albert Nadj.

Dindane’s second-half header then evened things up and then, when

Dudic handled again, another penalty was awarded although Dindane spurned the chance of the first 2006 World Cup hat-trick by allowing Kalou to score the penalty.

Ivory Coast’s Cyrille Domoraud received his marching orders then for a tackle in stoppage time.

IVORY COAST: Barry, Boka, Kouassi, Domoraud, Eboue, Akale (Bakari Kone 60), Zokora, Keita (Kalou 72), Gneri Yaya Toure, Arouna Kone, Dindane.

SERBIA & MONTENEGRO: Jevric, Gavrancic, Nenad Djordjevic, Dudic, Krstajic (Nadj 16), Ergic, Duljaj, Stankovic, Predrag Djordjevic, Ilic, Zigic (Milosevic 66).

Referee: Marco Rodriguez (Mexico).

Attendance: 66,000.