THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME
chapter-645

The atmosphere in Abidjan was palpable, a tense calm before the storm as fans gathered around every available screen, their eyes glued to the unfolding spectacle. The streets were abnormally quiet. It was almost as if the entire city had come to a standstill to witness this monumental clash between Ivory Coast and Croatia. Families huddled together in their living rooms, friends crowded around TVs in bars and restaurants, and even night workplaces seemed to have paused their activities, all in anticipation of the World Cup quarter-final game.

In homes across Abidjan, the TV screens flickered to life, one after another, displaying the familiar sight of the Fisht Olympic Stadium in Sochi. The commentator's voice echoed through the speakers, greeting viewers in French and setting the stage for what promised to be an unforgettable match. And as the Ivory Coast and Croatia squads were announced, a sense of pride and excitement swept through the Ivorian fans.

The starting line-ups were displayed on the screen, showcasing the talent and determination of both teams. Ivory Coast went with their trusted 4-2-3-1 formation, fielding a squad that had brought them success in previous matches. Familiar players like Serge Aurier, Eric Bailly, Zachary Bemba, Wilfried Zaha, Nicolas Pépé, and Captain Gervinho were ready to give their all for their country.

On the other side, Croatia, also adopting a 4-2-3-1 setup, boasted a formidable squad led by the midfield maestros Luka Modrić and Ivan Rakitić. With Mario Mandžukić leading the attack, they were a force to be reckoned with.

As the national anthems echoed through the stadium, emotions ran high in Abidjan. The fans watched with bated breath, their hearts beating in unison with their team's determination.

And then, as the clock struck 7:00 PM Abidjan time, the moment arrived. The referee's whistle pierced the air, signaling the start of the quarter-final showdown between Ivory Coast and Croatia.

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Meanwhile, on the other side of the world…

The World Cup quarter-final between Ivory Coast and Croatia was a clash of titans right from the opening whistle. The atmosphere in the Fisht Olympic Stadium in Sochi crackled with anticipation as both teams battled fiercely for midfield dominance in the opening minutes.

The Ivorian players, donning their iconic orange jerseys, looked determined as they pressed forward, eager to impose their style of play on the match. Zachary Bemba, the talented playmaker, was at the heart of Ivory Coast's midfield as always, orchestrating their attacks with quick feet and sharp vision.

On the other side, the Croatians, in their distinctive red and white kits, showed no signs of backing down. Led by the experienced Luka Modrić and Ivan Rakitić in midfield, they were keen on showcasing their technical prowess and tactical edge.

As the game continued, the intensity became even more heated. Both teams engaged in a series of clashes in midfield, fighting for every inch of space and possession. The midfield battle was particularly fierce, with several aerial duels and sliding tackles flying across the green from all directions.

Suddenly, in the 6th minute of the game, Zachary Bemba found himself with the ball at his feet, looking to break through Croatia's defensive lines. With a burst of speed, he surged toward the other half, only to be slowed down by Ivan Rakitić's well-timed shirt pull. The referee blew the whistle, awarding a free-kick to Ivory Coast.

Quick to capitalize on the set-piece opportunity, Ivory Coast took the free-kick quickly, sending a lofted ball toward the Croatian penalty area. Their captain and center-forward, Gervinho, made a darting run, hoping to connect with the ball and create a scoring chance.

However, Croatia's defensive stalwart, Dejan Lovren, had other plans. Anticipating the play, he read the ball's flying trajectory perfectly, intercepting it before it could reach Gervinho. Lovren cleared the danger with a well-timed header, sending the ball back toward the midfield.

In the ensuing midfield battle, Andrej Kramarić rose high to challenge Serey Dié for an aerial duel. The clash of heads was intense, with both players displaying their determination to win the battle for aerial superiority. But in the end, Kramarić got a decisive touch, directing the ball towards his midfield partner, Luka Modrić.

Luka Modrić, known for his exquisite passing and vision on the field, effortlessly controlled the ball with flair. With a quick glance up the field, he spotted an opportunity to exploit the Ivorian defense. Without any hesitation whatsoever, Modrić unleashed a perfectly weighted curling forward pass, using his signature trivela technique.

The ball sailed through the air with a wicked spin, catching the Ivorian defenders off-guard. Ivan Perišić, Croatia's dynamic winger, had already anticipated the pass and was making a spirited run down the left flank towards Ivory Coast's half.

The stadium erupted, voices cheering in excitement as the commentator's voice boomed over the crowd's roar. "Luka Modrić, the Puppet Master, pulls the strings again in the World Cup with a masterful pass! Ivan Perišić is on the move, folks!"

Ivan Perišić, with his pace and skill, received the ball in stride and continued his relentless charge towards Ivory Coast's territory. Serge Aurier, Ivory Coast's right-back, sprinted to intercept him, but Perišić had other plans.

As Perišić stepped into the final third, he feigned to cut inside, only to unleash a devilishly curling cross towards the crowded box. The ball hung in the air with an intense spin, teasing the defenders and goalkeeper alike. In the heart of the chaos, Mario Mandžukić, Croatia's towering center-forward, made his move.

Mandžukić, known for his aerial prowess, leaped with determination, aiming to meet Perišić's cross and convert it into a goal-scoring opportunity. However, Ivory Coast's resilient center-back, Eric Bailly, was up for the challenge.

However, the jubilation was short-lived as the referee suddenly halted play, his finger pointing to his earpiece. The stadium fell silent as the words "Checking Possible Penalty" and "Handball" flashed on the big screen, indicating that VAR (Video Assistant Referee) was reviewing a potential penalty incident.

The contest became even more fierce as Bailly, with his tenacity and defensive acumen, engaged in an aerial battle with Mandžukić. The two giants clashed mid-air, each determined to gain the upper hand. Mandžukić used his physicality to try and muscle past Bailly, but the Ivorian defender matched him step for step.

Amidst the chaos, Mandžukić managed to get a touch on the ball, attempting to direct it towards the goal. However, Bailly's timely intervention saw the ball deflect off his leg and out of play for a corner kick, much to the relief of the Ivorian fans.

Croatia wasted no time and took the resulting corner kick quickly. Luka Modrić, Croatia's maestro in midfield, delivered another intelligent ball into Ivory Coast's packed box, aiming to capitalize on the confusion. The box turned into a battleground as players jostled and fought for supremacy.

Chaos again ensued as the ball deflected off a few bodies within the box. Fortunately, Eric Bailly showed his composure under pressure and rose to the occasion again. He positioned himself well, anticipating the ball's trajectory, and executed a timely clearance to alleviate the danger. The Ivorian fans erupted, cheering excitedly, as they believed their team to have weathered the storm. They hugged and exchanged high-fives, assuming they had escaped an early scare in their heated quarter-final game against Croatia.

However, the jubilation was short-lived as the referee suddenly halted play, his finger pointing to his earpiece. The stadium fell silent as the words "Checking Possible Penalty" and "Handball" flashed on the big screen, indicating that VAR (Video Assistant Referee) was reviewing a potential penalty incident.

The anxiety immediately soared as players from both teams awaited the VAR decision that could alter the course of the quarter-final match. The fans held their breath, their eyes glued to the screen, as the VAR officials scrutinized the replay from multiple angles.

Zachary was also tense as he waited for the VAR's decision. His heart was beating like a drum in his chest, and he could seem to calm down. He was worried about conceding a penalty and a goal early in the game.

As the seconds passed, the suspense grew thicker, wrapping the stadium in an invisible cloak of anticipation. The Croatian supporters were on the edge of their seats, hopeful for a favorable outcome, while the Ivorian fans were filled with anxiety, praying for a reprieve.

Finally, the referee moved, darting towards the pitch-side monitor with a sense of urgency. The stadium seemed to hold its breath as the referee studied the replay, analyzing every angle of Lamine Koné's handball in the box.

The screen displayed a close-up of Koné's arm position as the corner ball descended into the box. Was his arm in a natural position? That was the critical question that would determine the fate of the penalty decision.

The tension escalated as the referee deliberated, his decision carrying immense weight. Finally, the Ivorian fans' groans of frustration filled the air as the referee pointed to the penalty spot, awarding Croatia a golden opportunity to take the lead.

Meanwhile, the Croatian supporters erupted into jubilant cheers, their excitement palpable as Luka Modrić stepped up to take the penalty. The pressure was immense, but Modrić remained composed and focused on the task.

The referee's whistle pierced through the tense silence soon after, signaling the commencement of the penalty kick. Modrić's movements were swift and deliberate as he approached the penalty spot, his eyes locked on the ball.

Modrić then unleashed the shot, sending the ball hurtling towards its target with precision and power. Sylvain Gbohouo, the Ivorian goalkeeper, reacted instinctively, diving with all his might to make the crucial save.

The ball seemed to move in what could only be slow motion, sailing towards the bottom left corner and narrowly evading Gbohouo's outstretched hand. The collective gasp from the Ivorian fans echoed through the stadium as they watched helplessly, their hearts sinking as the ball found the back of the net.

1-0 flashed on the jumbotron, indicating Croatia's lead as their fans roared to celebrate their opening goal during the 9th minute. On the other hand, the Ivorian players and supporters were crestfallen, the weight of the early deficit weighing heavily on their shoulders.

The atmosphere in the stadium shifted dramatically, with Croatia gaining momentum and confidence from their early lead. As for the Ivorians, they were facing an uphill battle to claw their way back into the quarter-final encounter.