Ivory Coast vs Ghana LIVE: Score, Goals and Latest Updates From 2027 Women's World Cup Qualifier
Ivory Coast 1-2 Ghana: Full-time analysis
Ghana staged a stunning comeback to beat Côte d’Ivoire and secure one of Africa’s two tickets to the inter-confederation play-offs for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Princess Marfo, who was involved in the build-up to Côte d’Ivoire’s opener, redeemed herself with the equaliser before Josephine Bonsu’s penalty completed the comeback.
The Black Queens will celebrate a hard-earned victory, but the performance also exposed areas that must be addressed if they are to fulfil their dream of reaching next year’s World Cup.
For Côte d’Ivoire, the defeat will sting after they once again surrendered a lead and watched their World Cup hopes slip away.
Ivory Coast 1-2 Ghana: Full-time analysis
Ghana staged a stunning comeback to beat Côte d’Ivoire and secure one of Africa’s two tickets to the inter-confederation play-offs for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Princess Marfo, who was involved in the build-up to Côte d’Ivoire’s opener, redeemed herself with the equaliser before Josephine Bonsu’s penalty completed the comeback.
The Black Queens will celebrate a hard-earned victory, but the performance also exposed areas that must be addressed if they are to fulfil their dream of reaching next year’s World Cup.
For Côte d’Ivoire, the defeat will sting after they once again surrendered a lead and watched their World Cup hopes slip away.
Ivory Coast 1-2 Ghana: Black Queens hold on to beat Lady Elephants
90+2 min: The tension is rising. Both teams are throwing everything into the closing stages.
90+3 min: Badu teases her marker before clipping a ball towards Boye-Hlorkah, whose acrobatic effort lacks power and is comfortably saved.
90+4 min: Ghana survive by inches! A wild clearance from Boakye ricochets off an Ivorian attacker and flies narrowly past Konlan’s post. That was dangerously close to an own goal.
90+5 min: It has become a scrappy affair, with both sides struggling to string passes together. Ghana gets a much-needed reprieve when Diallo is flagged offside.
90+6 min: Côte d’Ivoire make a mess of their clearance, allowing Sampson to challenge for the loose ball. She collides with an Ivorian defender and is penalised for the challenge.
90+7 min: Another free-kick for Côte d’Ivoire. The Lady Elephants play on despite a Ghanaian player going down, but the referee eventually stops the game and calls for medical assistance.
90+9 min: Another injury stoppage. The delay continues as the referee calls for a stretcher, with Linda Owusu Ansah eventually carried off the pitch.
90+10 min: The South African referee restarts play with a drop ball to Ghana. The Black Queens try to clear their lines, but Côte d’Ivoire quickly regain possession.
90+11 min: One final scare for Ghana! The Lady Elephants launch a last-ditch ball into the box, but it is headed straight towards Konlan, who gathers safely.
Full-time! Ghana hold on for a hard-fought victory and, crucially, secure one of Africa’s two tickets to the inter-confederation play-offs for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Ivory Coast 1-2 Ghana: Black Queens hold on to slim advantage
83 min: Ghana make a double change. Susan Ama Duah cannot continue, with Abena Opoku coming on in her place, while Sharon Sampson replaces Stella Nyamekye.
84 min: Badu is booked. Her boot catches an Ivorian defender in the head, giving Côte d’Ivoire a free-kick.
85 min: Côte d’Ivoire opt for a short free-kick as they continue to pile pressure on Ghana. Captain Portia Boakye then throws herself in the way of Amani’s effort, blocking the shot before going down in pain.
87 min: Another huge blow for Ghana! Boakye is helped off the pitch and the Black Queens are forced to continue with 10 players. Despite the setback, Ghana try to push forward, but Côte d’Ivoire clear the danger.
88 min: Ghana nearly break through! Sharon Sampson beats her marker and releases the ball towards Badu, but an Ivorian defender races back to make a crucial clearance.
89 min: One final change for Ghana. Linda Owusu Ansah comes on for Grace Asantewaa as the Black Queens look to protect their lead.
The referee signals nine minutes of added time.
Ivory Coast 1-2 Ghana: Black Queens under pressure
74 min: Ghana win a throw-in after snuffing out another Ivorian attack, but the Black Queens fail to make the most of the restart. Asantewaa finds Nyamekye, who launches a long ball towards Marfo, but she takes too long and Côte d’Ivoire close down the passing lanes. Boye-Hlorkah’s follow-up effort is then blocked.
76 min: Côte d’Ivoire are turning up the pressure. The Lady Elephants have found their rhythm since Ghana took the lead and their latest attack earns them a corner.
77 min: The corner is delayed as goalscorer Inès Konan is substituted. Once play resumes, the set piece nearly catches Ghana out, but Cynthia Konlan reacts brilliantly to tip the ball over the bar.
78 min: Another corner comes in, but Ghana get their heads to it and clear the danger. Susan Ama Duah then goes down and the referee immediately calls for medical attention.
79 min: Another worrying injury for Ghana. Duah remains on the pitch receiving treatment, but her problem appears serious as she is eventually stretchered off.
Ivory Coast 1-2 Ghana: Josephine Bonsu scores after VAR check
63 min: Côte d’Ivoire threaten, but Ghana survives. The Black Queens clear their lines before nearly sending Evelyn Badu through on goal, only for the goalkeeper to rush out and collect.
64 min: Penalty appeals for Ghana! Grace Asantewaa wins a foul and Boakye delivers the free-kick. Nyamekye collects the rebound and sends another cross into the box, with the ball eventually falling to Asantewaa. Her shot appears to strike Katchi Yapo’s hand, prompting furious appeals from the Black Queens.
65 min: The referee waves play on as Côte d’Ivoire quickly turn defence into attack, but Susan Ama Duah makes a crucial intervention to clear out the danger.
66 min: VAR check! The referee pauses the game and appears to be consulting the VAR officials over the potential handball. Ghana’s coaching staff are also urged to remain calm on the touchline.
68 min: The referee goes to the monitor. She reviews the incident involving Yapo, with Ghana waiting anxiously for the verdict.
69 min: PENALTY TO GHANA! The referee points to the spot after completing her review. The Black Queens have a golden chance to take the lead.
70 min: Josephine Bonsu steps up to take the penalty, but there is a brief delay as Côte d’Ivoire make a substitution, with Essi Dagba making way.
71 min: GOAL! GHANA LEAD! Bonsu sends the goalkeeper the wrong way with a powerful spot-kick to the right. The keeper reads the direction but cannot keep it out. Côte d’Ivoire 1-2 Ghana.
Ivory Coast 1-1 Ghana: Princess Marfo level for Black Queens
53 min: Ghana remains dangerous! Evelyn Badu channels her inner Lionel Messi, weaving past two Ivorian defenders before her final pass towards Princess Marfo is overhit and gathered by goalkeeper Océane Lamfir.
54 min: Marfo is penalised for a foul on her marker as play is stopped again for another Ivorian player receiving treatment. Meanwhile, Ghana coach Kim Lars Björkegren remains visibly frustrated by the disallowed equaliser.
55 min: Côte d’Ivoire restart play, but Ghana quickly regain possession. Nyamekye whips a cross into the box, but it finds no Ghanaian attacker, and Lamfir gathers comfortably.
56 min: Another injury blow for Ghana! Badu, who replaced the injured Doris Boaduwaa, appears to have suffered a muscle problem and is stretchered off the pitch.
57 min: Ghana win possession from the Ivorian goal kick and immediately look to attack. A pass sends Boye-Hlorkah through, but she lets the ball run, and a timely clearance denies Ghana a clear opening.
58 min: GOAL! Ghana are level! The Black Queens win a corner, and Marfo rises highest to meet the delivery, powering her header down and into the net. Côte d’Ivoire 1-1 Ghana.
59 min: The Lady Elephants restart and immediately look to reclaim their lead, but Ghana stand firm. Simon wins a throw-in as the Black Queens try to maintain their momentum.
61 min: Crucial double block from Cudjoe! Côte d’Ivoire threaten inside the box, but the Ghana midfielder throws herself into the danger twice to deny the Lady Elephants.
Ivory Coast 1-0 Ghana: VAR denies Black Queens an equaliser
45 min: We’re back underway, and Ghana have come out firing! The Black Queens are on the front foot from the restart, desperate to level the score.
46 min: Ghana win a free-kick, but Stella Nyamekye’s clever delivery is cleared. Benedicte Simon pounces on the rebound but fails to control it, handling the ball in the process.
47 min: Ghana continue to press as Princess Marfo looks to release Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah, but the Ivorian defence intervenes once again.
48 min: Ghana thought they had levelled! Simon’s throw-in is clipped into the box and goalkeeper Océane Lamfir fails to deal with the ball. Evelyn Badu pounces in the scramble before Stella Nyamekye calmly finishes into the net.
49 min: Wait! VAR is checking the goal. The officials appear to be reviewing a possible foul on Lamfir during the build-up.
50 min: Goal disallowed! The referee rules that Lamfir was fouled before Nyamekye’s finish. Heartbreak for Ghana as the score remains 1-0 to Côte d’Ivoire.
Ivory Coast 1-0 Ghana: Half time analysis
Côte d’Ivoire lead at the break and, despite having less possession, have looked sharper and more dangerous whenever they move forward.
The Lady Elephants have repeatedly targeted Ghana’s left flank, occupied by Josephine Bonsu, and it was no surprise that their penalty came from that side.
The Black Queens, meanwhile, still appear to be carrying the disappointment of their quarter-final defeat to Malawi.
Their build-up has been sluggish, with too many touches slowing attacks, while the recurring offside problem has once again wiped out promising opportunities.
Princess Marfo has been Ghana’s brightest attacking outlet but has lacked composure in the final third, with several efforts going astray.
With 45 minutes remaining, Björkegren must find the right solutions quickly if Ghana are to overturn the deficit and keep their fading World Cup hopes alive.
HT: Ivory Coast lead at the break
43 min: Boaduwaa is in trouble. The Ghana forward is helped off the pitch by the Black Queens’ medical team after appearing to pick up an injury. Ghana restart without her, while Boye-Hlorkah’s attempt to beat her marker is stopped and Côte d’Ivoire win a free-kick.
44 min: It looks like Boaduwaa’s night is over as Ghana prepare a substitution. Before the change, Côte d’Ivoire nearly double their lead with another slick move down the right, but Jennifer Cudjoe makes a crucial interception before Konlan gathers the loose ball.
45 min: Another timely intervention! Susan Ama Duah steps in to douse out a dangerous Ivorian attack, although the resulting corner comes to nothing.
The referee signals four minutes of added time.
45+1 min: It remains a topsy-turvy contest. Ghana win a throw-in, but Boakye’s attempt to pick out the attackers is cleared by the Ivorians.
45+2 min: Ghana struggles to build from the resulting possession as another attack breaks down through a lack of urgency.
45+3 min: Côte d’Ivoire win a throw-in, but Ghana quickly regain possession. Boye-Hlorkah then earns a free-kick just outside Ghana’s defensive third.
45+4 min: Ghana tries to find a way through the Ivorian defence, but Asantewaa takes too long in midfield and loses possession. The South African referee has seen enough and brings the first half to an end.
Ivory Coast 1-0 Ghana: Black Queens continue to probe
32 min: Ghana are struggling to build momentum, with their attacking moves looking increasingly disjointed.
33 min: Côte d’Ivoire will be happy with Ghana’s struggles as their slicker play nearly opens the Black Queens up, but Cynthia Konlan comes to the rescue.
34 min: Ghana finally threatens! Boaduwaa links up with Stella Nyamekye, whose cross flashes across the box without finding a teammate. Portia Boakye then wins a free-kick, but the flag goes up for offside against Nyamekye.
35 min: Côte d’Ivoire quickly transition, finding an overlapping runner on the flank. Her cross picks out Konan, but the forward fails to hit the target and Ghana get a goal kick.
37 min: It remains a topsy-turvy contest. Nyamekye is sent through and attempts a first-time cross towards Boaduwaa, but Anastasie Gbehi brings her down and receives a yellow card.
38 min: Nyamekye takes the resulting free-kick, but Côte d’Ivoire only half-clear it. Marfo pounces and unleashes a fierce drive from inside the box, but her effort flies over the bar.
39 min: Marfo, who has switched flanks with Nyamekye, attempts a cross-field pass, but the Ivorians read it easily.
40 min: Ghana continue to dominate possession as they search for a way through, but Côte d’Ivoire’s defence remains resolute.
Ivory Coast 1-0 Ghana: Black Queens threatens for the equaliser
21 min: Coach Kim Lars Björkegren will be pleased with Ghana’s response. The Black Queens have looked more composed and purposeful since falling behind.
23 min: Marfo goes close! The Right to Dream Academy graduate unleashes a shot that drifts wide after a clever move from Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah creates the opening.
24 min: Côte d’Ivoire turn up the pressure down the right, forcing Portia Boakye into a foul. The Ghana captain protests the decision and is booked for her reaction.
26 min: Bernadette Amani sends the free-kick into the danger area, but Ghana clear their lines. Marfo looks to launch a quick counter but opts to recycle possession through Boaduwaa, who finds Boye-Hlorkah before the attack breaks down.
27 min: Côte d’Ivoire are enjoying a spell of possession, moving the ball neatly between the lines. However, their final delivery lacks quality, allowing Ghana to breathe again.
29 min: An Ivorian player goes down, but the referee waves play on. Ghana keep possession and probe for an opening before Stella Nyamekye is shoved in the back, earning the Black Queens a free-kick.
30 min: Boakye delivers the set piece, but her cross fails to beat the first defender and Côte d’Ivoire clear. Ghana quickly sends a through ball towards Nyamekye, but her final delivery misses the mark — and the flag goes up for offside.
Ivory Coast 1-0 Ghana: Black Queens search for the equaliser
11 min: Boaduwaa breaks forward but is brought down by Bernadette Amani, who goes into the referee’s book with a yellow card.
13 min: Ghana win a corner after another promising attack, but the set piece comes to nothing as Princess Marfo heads the ball away, earning Côte d’Ivoire a goal kick.
14 min: The Black Queens regain possession and patiently build from the back. Rosemonde Kouassi is then penalised for handball, handing Ghana a free-kick.
15 min: Captain Portia Boakye sends a long free-kick forward. Benedicte Simon brings it under control and tries to work her way through, but the Ivorians clear the danger.
16 min: Ghana keep pressing, with a cross floated into the box. Princess Marfo gets to it but cannot generate enough power, allowing Ivorian goalkeeper Océane Lamfir to gather comfortably.
17 min: The Black Queens continue to press. Grace Asantewaa is brought down as she drives forward, but the resulting free-kick comes to nothing after Simon fails to control Boakye’s well-weighted pass.
18 min: Ghana has enjoyed sustained pressure, but Côte d’Ivoire are refusing to buckle. The Black Queens regain possession, only for Asantewaa to go down again after appearing to feel the effects of Amani’s earlier challenge.
20 min: Asantewaa is back on her feet as Ghana restarts play. Boakye clips a pass towards Marfo, who battles through a crowd of Ivorian defenders and wins another free-kick for her persistence.
Ivory Coast 1-0 Ghana: Black Queens down already
1 min: The Black Queens get us underway in their all-white strip at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca. Côte d’Ivoire makes the brighter start, and a shove in the back of the Ivorian captain gives the referee cause to stop play.
2 min: Wait! VAR is reviewing the incident, adding to the tension. The decision is in — a penalty to Côte d’Ivoire.
3 min: Goal! Côte d’Ivoire takes the lead. Inès Konan sends the Lady Elephants ahead from the spot, with Cynthia Konlan diving the right way but unable to keep out the Strasbourg forward’s effort.
4 min: Ghana restart with an early mountain to climb. The Black Queens knock the ball around as they try to play through the Ivorian press.
5 min: The Lady Elephants are hungry for a second as they push for the play-off ticket. Ghana manage to clear their lines, but the clearance is unconvincing, with Princess Marfo eventually sending the ball out of touch.
6 min: Marfo tries to make amends after Ghana regains possession, but her searching long ball is easily collected by the Ivorian goalkeeper, who gets to it ahead of Doris Boaduwaa.
7 min: Boaduwaa is penalised for clattering into the Ivorian goalkeeper. Côte d’Ivoire launch a long ball into the box, but it comes to nothing as Ghana regain possession and win a throw-in.
8 min: Benedicte Simon sends Stella Nyamekye through with a deep cross, which Marfo nods back into the danger area. Boaduwaa cannot get on the end of it and goes down, prompting appeals from the Black Queens.
9 min: Ghana regain control and look more composed. The Queens patiently work the ball across their backline before trying to switch play, but Princess Marfo loses possession.
10 min: Marfo looks determined to make up for the earlier error. Her quick change of pace and clever footwork are causing problems on the flank, although Ghana are yet to turn her efforts into a clear-cut chance.
