Wilfried Bony and Gervinho scored two headers in quick succession to claim a vital victory in the Group C clash. They had to come from behind, however. After Japan's Keisuke Honda had put the Samurai blue in front after 16 minutes with a fine solo effort. Ivory Coast's talisman, Didier Drogba, was left out of the starting line-up, but when he entered the fray, he became driving force behind Ivory Coast's surge to get such an important win in a bid to reach the second round.
Japan started the game on the front foot as the first chance fell to the. Keisuke Honda, renown for his dead ball ability, played in one of his trademark corners at the near post, Shinji Okazaki attempted to nod it in but he couldn't get any substantial contact on the ball. Wilfried Bony cleared to relieve the pressure on the Ivory Coast. It would turn out to be momentary respite, however. Yuto Nagatomo played in a neat ball straight into Honda's feet, lackluster defending from the African side allowed the AC Milan attacker to dance around Yaya Toure and then fire past the helpless Boubacar Barry.
The Japanese asserted their dominance as they continued to force chances. A swift counter-attack ended with the ball at Atso Uchida's left foot, but his shot was parried away by Barry. The Ivory Coast did, however, start to creep back into the game. Salomon Kalou whipped in a corner which was defended well by Japan, but it went straight to Arthur Boka who unleashed a powerful drive at the goal and he was superbly by Eiji Kawashima.
The first chance of the second-half fell to the Ivory Coast, Serge Aurier attempted a low cross come shot across the goal but it was blocked by Japan's on rushing defence, it sat up for Bony to head at goal but he fluffed his lines as he headed a decent chance wide.
Ivory Coast legend, Didier Drogba, was then introduced to the game and he made a impact straight away. His presence definitely lifted his team mates, Yaya Toure made a pass to Aurier, who then played in a delicious cross to Bony, the Swansea striker latched onto the ball and his bullet header went shot past Kawashima. 90 seconds later, their dominance throughout the second-half shone through. Aurier, again, whipped in a delightful near post cross and was then met by Gervinho, but Eiji Kawashima's attempt to save the header was in vein as he couldn't stop it, and the ball bundled over the line.
Didier Drobga could have then put his side 3-1 in front, he won a costless-kick for his side and then decided he would take it upon himself to shoot. He curled a excellent effort over the wall but it was saved by Kawashima in the Japanese goal. That was the last chance of the game, meaning that this was a pivotal victory for the Elephants as they seek a passage into the next round.