Haller and Sangaré excel: a nine-goal feat for Ivory Coast

The internationals from the island group probably traveled to Abidjan with little expectations. The 195th-ranked team in the FIFA standings held on reasonably well in the opening phase, but then things quickly changed. Sébastien Haller initiated the goal fest, opening the score from the penalty spot in the 20th minute. Former PSV player Ibrahim Sangaré doubled the lead in the 24th minute.

With goals from Simon Adingra, a talent from Brighton & Hove Albion, and young Red Bull Salzburg forward Karim Konaté, the score increased to 4-0 before halftime. The Seychelles players couldn't limit the damage. Not only did the visitors fail to register a single shot on target, but their defense was completely dismantled. Ivory Coast had an impressive 39 (!) attempts on goal.

Seko Fofana and Jean-Philippe Krasso each scored a goal, while Hamed Junior Traorè found the net twice. Konaté set the final score at 9-0 in the 95th minute. The Ivorians could not have asked for a better start to the qualification series for the World Cup. They face an away match against Gambia on Monday.