Greece are on the verge of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup second round as they lead Ivory Coast 1-0 at half time in today's clash in Fortaleza.

Both teams, eager to secure a win to try to secure progress to the knockout stages of the tournament, were lively from the opening stages.

Gervinho and Didier Drogba combined well to trouble the opposition goalkeeper on several occasions, but Konstantinos Manolas was able to thwart the former Arsenal man in the ninth minute.

The Euro 2004 champions suffered an early setback, however, when Panagiotis Kone had to be substituted in the 12th minute.

However, Greece were first to draw blood, when Cheik Tiote's error towards the end of the first half allowed Andreas Samaris to play a one-two with Georgios Samaras before slotting the ball into the net.

If Japan fail to beat Colombia, as is the situation currently, Greece will go through to the next round at the expense of the 2002 World Cup co-hosts.