Eboue looks impressive in his midfield role against Portugal

An eventful and highly entertaining first half some how failed to produce any goals with both teams having a fair share of possession.

Change in tactics by Ivorian coach Sven Goran-Erikson sees Seville’s Didier Zokora partner Manchester City’s Kolo Toure who was handed the captains armband as after Didier Drogba was passed not fit enough to start in defence.

They almost went behind earlier in the half when a power drive from Cristiano Ronaldo shoved off Barry’s post form 22 yards.

The Elephants however responded with an impressive passing game but failed to provide the killer ball to the three prone attack which includes Salomon Kalou, Gervinho and Aruna Dindane.

It is also however not clear if the Swede coach of Ivory Coast will at a point in time call upon Chelsea’s Didier Drogba to provide the needed cutting edge as he applauded the moves of his colleagues with his injured arm from the bench.