MUNICH, June 21 - Ivory Coast showed why they are regarded as one of Africa's most gifted teams when they recovered from two goals down to beat Serbia & Montenegro 3-2 in their final Group C match at the World Cup on Wednesday.

Departing with two defeats and a victory from probably the toughest group, which also included Argentina and Netherlands, it could all have been so different if only they had enjoyed a bit more luck and been less naive defensively.

Even with six changes to their starting lineup against the Serbs, Ivory Coast carved out as many goalscoring chances as most other teams make in two or three matches.

By the end Serbia, making their last appearance with Montenegro since the last of the former Yugoslav republics has already officially broken away, must have been relieved their World Cup debacle after three defeats was finally over.

Serbia initially were a far cry from the side that lost 6-0 against Argentina, but by the second half they were down to 10 men and relegated to chasing the speedy Africans who were attacking in waves from left, right and centre.

At first the absence of accomplished Ivory Coast defender Kolo Toure, left out to give other hopefuls a chance, seemed to allow the Serbs too much space in a shaky defence.

ATTACKING FOOTBALL

Showing glimpses of the attacking football the former Yugoslavia was renowned for in decades past, the Serbs thought they had restored some of the pride lost in their capitulation to Argentina, with two goals in the first 20 minutes.

Striker Nikola Zigic calmly rounded the keeper to slot home in the 10th minute while Sasa Ilic got the second 10 minutes later after sloppy goalkeeping by Boubacar Barry.

But the Ivorians quickly recovered, even without the suspended Didier Drogba's clinical finishing, as Aruna Dindane smoothly converted a twice-taken penalty in the 36th.

After that the Africans never looked back.

With coach Henri Michel urging them to attack after Serbia's Albert Nadj was shown a red card before the break, the Ivorians stormed forward but Blaise Kouassi and substitute Bakary Kone could not find the net despite spectacular efforts.

It was Man of the Match Dindane again who popped up to head home his second goal, glancing past Dragoslav Jevric after a perfect cross from Abelkader Keita in the 67th.

An 86th minute penalty by Bonaventure Kalou put the icing on a cake the Ivory Coast so badly wanted and deserved.

The stoppage-time sending off of Ivory coast's Cyrille Domoraud for a crunching tackle in a game that saw nine yellow cards did nothing to dampen the celebrations which culminated in a standing ovation for a team that clearly deserved better.

With the 2010 World Cup on their continent, in South Africa, Ivory Coast will have every chance to put the record straight.