Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Didier Drogba has hit out at the officiating following Ivory Coast’s heartbreaking FIFA World Cup exit, claiming his side were denied a clear second-half penalty during their 2-1 defeat to Norway in the Round of 32. The Ivorian legend questioned the purpose of VAR after Nicolas Pepe’s appeals were waved away in a decision that quickly became one of the biggest talking points from the knockout clash.
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Norway booked their place in the Round of 16 thanks to Erling Haaland’s dramatic late winner, but Drogba felt the contest could have taken a very different turn had the officials pointed to the spot when Pepe went down inside the area. In a post on his X account shortly after the final whistle, the former Chelsea striker did not hide his frustration.
Ivory Coast vs Norway, FIFA World Cup: HIGHLIGHTS
“Disgraceful, that penalty not called on Nicolas Pepe, pfffffff, what’s the point of VAR?!??!” Drogba wrote on X.
His comments came after an incident midway through the second half when Pepe appeared to be brought down inside the Norway penalty area. Despite lengthy appeals from the Ivory Coast players, neither the referee nor the Video Assistant Referee awarded a spot-kick, leaving the Elephants furious as play continued.
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The controversial moment proved even more painful after Norway snatched victory in the closing stages to end Ivory Coast’s memorable World Cup journey.
DROGBA QUESTIONS VAR DECISION
The penalty incident became one of the defining moments of a fiercely contested knockout tie.
Ivory Coast had fought back brilliantly after falling behind to Antonio Nusa’s superb first-half strike, with substitute Amad Diallo producing another moment of magic to level the scores after the break. Having looked the more dangerous side for large spells of the second half, the African champions believed they had earned the chance to take the lead when Pepe went to ground inside the area.
Instead, the referee waved away the appeals and VAR opted against intervening, leaving Drogba among those questioning why the technology had not been used to overturn the decision.
The frustration only intensified moments later.
With extra time looming, Norway produced the decisive blow in the 86th minute when Erling Haaland finished calmly from close range to score his fifth goal of the tournament. The strike not only sealed a dramatic 2-1 victory but also saw the Manchester City forward move past Cristiano Ronaldo for the most World Cup knockout-stage goals in history.
IVORY COAST’S DREAM RUN ENDS
Despite the disappointment, Ivory Coast leave the tournament with plenty to be proud of.
The Elephants reached the knockout stages after an impressive group campaign and pushed one of Europe’s most in-form sides all the way in a pulsating Round of 32 contest. Amad Diallo continued his outstanding World Cup with another crucial goal, while several young players underlined the bright future awaiting Ivorian football.
For Norway, the victory keeps alive hopes of a memorable World Cup run.
Haaland’s latest match-winning contribution sends the Scandinavians into a blockbuster Round of 16 meeting against Brazil at New York New Jersey Stadium, while Ivory Coast head home wondering whether a single VAR decision changed the course of their World Cup.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
