At the end of the 2-1 loss to Norway, which sealed the elimination of his Ivory Coast team, captain Franck Kessie answered questions from journalists, which you can read below:
What do you think about the team's performance and your chances of progressing further in the competition if you had won?
"We could have gone as far as possible; we could have overcome any obstacle, given what we had shown. Then we conceded a goal because of small details, a bit like in the match against Germany. It hurts and leaves a very, very bitter taste."
What did the team lack to win this match?
"Lack? I’d say not much. Maybe a bit in our attacking moves, and in finishing we were less sharp compared to Norway. After a good start to the match, we were a bit sluggish. And at this level, especially in a knockout match, you pay a high price for that."
How do you feel after this defeat and what are the next steps?
"Right now it’s hard to make a decision in the heat of the moment. After a disappointment, it’s like we’re on a boat underwater and, when the boat sinks, as captain you don’t give up. So there will be decisions to make much later on; the season has been very, very long, and today, June 30th, is the last day. We’ll rest and then see; the future will simply tell us."
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Did Norway make the difference thanks to Erling Haaland?
"He’s a striker, as you saw and as we saw tonight. He played 80 minutes, touched the ball as little as possible, then did the most important thing. Sending Norway to the Round of 16."
