Cote d'Ivoire 3 - Senegal 1

Photo by Issouf Sanogo

Cote d'Ivoire were at home in Abidjan for the first leg of their series with Senegal.  Ivoirian winger Gervinho wreaked havoc as he is wont to do.  On a signature drive of his, he drew an early penalty kick when he was fouled in the Senegalese box by Cheikh Kouyate.  Cote d'Ivoire converted for an early 1-0 lead.  Salomon Kalou started a dash up the field and released wide to Gervinho.  Gervinho played a heavy ball in the box that deflected off a Senegal player into his own net for an own goal.  The Ivoirians led 2-0 and were thirsty for more.  Les Elephants nearly had a third when a Kalou through ball put Gervinho alone on goal ahead of Lamine Gassama.  Gervinho dribbled at Gassama and held up play in the Senegalese box for Yaya Toure to arrive.  Gervinho slotted a pass for a one-timer for Toure, but Toure skied the effort.  Cote d'Ivoire took a 2-0 lead with them as they left the pitch, but is very well could have been 4-0.

Gervinho was at it again shortly after the start of the second half.  He picked up the ball at midfield and played a great through ball ahead to Kalou.  Kalou took a touch, faked a step-over to drop the goalkeeper and then pushed into the open net for 3-0.  With the last kick of the match deep into stoppage time, Senegal pulled back a road goal via a powerful Papiss Cisse shot that Cote d'Ivoire goalkeeper Boubacar Barry could not prevent from entering the goal in spite of the fact that the ball connected solidly with his hands.  Cote d'Ivoire win 3-1 but will be disappointed to have given up a road goal so late in the match with the second leg still to play next month.

Goals
Cote d'Ivoire
Didier Drogba 5 PK
Lamine Sane 14 OG
Salomon Kalou 50

Senegal
Papiss Cisse 90+6

Match Reports:
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/match/124155/ivory-coast-vs-senegal/report?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24510036

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qz7aIMjeZ2A