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Former Celtic striker Georgios Samaras struck an injury-time penalty as Greece snatched a place in the World Cup last-16 with a dramatic 2-1 win over Ivory Coast.
The African side had looked to be going through to the knockout stages as Group C runners-up after Swansea's Wilfried Bony cancelled out Andreas Samaris' first-half strike in the 74th minute in Fortaleza.
But Greece, who hit the woodwork three times, showed considerable improvement on their earlier performances in the tournament and grabbed victory after Samaras - recently released by Celtic - was felled late on.
It was no less than the Greeks deserved for an enterprising performance after a slow start.
Show all 22 1 /22Greece 2 Ivory Coast 1 player ratings Greece 2 Ivory Coast 1 player ratings Orestis Karnezis His evening was called to a close after just 24 minutes after a back injury proved too painful to ignore. 6
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Greece 2 Ivory Coast 1 player ratings 2Vasileios-Torosidis.jpg A menace on the counter-attack and a rock at the back, Torosidis very nearly got on the scoresheet with a fortuitous effort which struck the upright. On another night it could easily have sailed in. 7
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Greece 2 Ivory Coast 1 player ratings Jose Holebas Worked tirelessly for the entire ninety minutes and defined a Greek performance based on hard work and a frightening ability to counter. A great display. 7
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Greece 2 Ivory Coast 1 player ratings Sokratis Papastathopoulos An absolutely superb display in the heart of the Greece defence, Papastathopoulos had no intention of losing tonight. Powerful in the air, and mobile with his feet, this was a display worthy of winning any game. 8
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Greece 2 Ivory Coast 1 player ratings Konstantinos Manolas While initially appearing to be nervous on the big stage, Manolas settled into the game and dealt with the occasion well. A reliable figure at the back. 7
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Greece 2 Ivory Coast 1 player ratings Ioannis Maniatis In the heart of midfield, Maniatis was the pass-point for any Greek foray into the Ivory Coast half. An efficient and effective performance. 7
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Greece 2 Ivory Coast 1 player ratings Lazaros Christodoulopoulos Pushing forward wherever possible, while remaining defensively disciplined, this was a composed evening for Christodoulopoulos. 7
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Greece 2 Ivory Coast 1 player ratings Georgios Karagounis Almost scoring a screamer from forty yard in the second half, the Fulham midfielder proved his quality with a number of astute and precise balls. 7.5
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Greece 2 Ivory Coast 1 player ratings Dimitrios Salpingidis Struggled for time and space in the opening exchanges but, as the Ivory Coast began to push for a goal, found room and caused problems. Held the ball up well when required also. 7
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Greece 2 Ivory Coast 1 player ratings Panagiotis Kone Worked the right flank well and found his attackers with a series of fantastic crosses. Was unlucky not to get an assist tonight. 7
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Greece 2 Ivory Coast 1 player ratings Georgios Samaras Scored the goal which takes Greece to their first ever appearance in the final sixteen. For that reason alone he deserves a high score. 8
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Greece 2 Ivory Coast 1 player ratings Boubacar Barry Looked shaky on occasions and, while he made a few decent saves, his lapse of concentration in the second half very nearly made the result more comfortable. 6
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Greece 2 Ivory Coast 1 player ratings Serge Aurier Had difficulty breaking down the right wing and struggled to create any chances for his isolated forwards. A poor evening. 6
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Greece 2 Ivory Coast 1 player ratings Arthur Boka Tried to contribute to Ivorian attacks but ultimately it is his defensive misgivings which will define his evening. Gave possession away too cheaply too. 6
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Greece 2 Ivory Coast 1 player ratings Kolo Toure After the tragic family news which he and Yaya had received earlier in the week, it is commendable that Toure even started this game. Did well in the circumstances. 7
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Greece 2 Ivory Coast 1 player ratings Sol-Bamba.jpg The former Leicester City defender tried too many forward runs and put himself at risk of being intercepted. Lost the ball far too often. 6
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Greece 2 Ivory Coast 1 player ratings Cheick Tiote One of the few Ivory Coast players to have a consistent evening. Was strong in the tackle and distributed the ball well. 7
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Greece 2 Ivory Coast 1 player ratings Salomon Kalou Disappeared on occasions and contributed little. A disappointing night for Chelsea’s former midfield man. 6
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Greece 2 Ivory Coast 1 player ratings Serey Die Like Kalou, Serey Die achieved very little on a night where much was expected. It’s no surprise that Ivory Coast fell to defeat with such an ineffective midfield. 6
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Greece 2 Ivory Coast 1 player ratings Didier Drogba Was given a standing ovation when he was substituted but you feel that it was more out of respect than acknowledgement of his evening’s work. If this is to be his last game with the Ivory Coast, then he leaves international football with a whimper. 6.5
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Greece 2 Ivory Coast 1 player ratings Yaya Touré Earned the respect of his colleagues and pundits alike by just playing tonight. Was a threat throughout. 7
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Greece 2 Ivory Coast 1 player ratings Gervinho His pace and power down the left wing has made take notice this summer but this was an average night for Gervinho. No real spark. 6.5
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