The first big chance of the game fell the way of the Taegeuk Warriors, when Hee-Chan Hwang’s effort from the edge of the box whistled over the bar after 12 minutes. That was followed seven minutes later by Hyeon Gyu-Oh striking the inside of the post with a shot with his right instep.
South Korea were unable to capitalise on those early chances and fell behind just after the half-hour mark, when Martial Godo slipped in Evann Guessand to roll into the bottom corner from a narrow angle.
Jo Hyeon-Woo had to be alert soon after to repel Emmaunel Agbadou’s powerful header before the same woodwork that thwarted Oh earlier also denied Seol Young-Woo.
This would come back to haunt Hiong Myung-Bo’s men as, in first half stoppage time, Simon Adingra turned a defender and hammered home a powerful shot into the bottom corner to double Les Elephants’ lead at the break.
Jean Michael Seri curled an effort from outside the box just wide early in the second half as Emerse Fae’s side looked to add to their advantage.
That third goal did come just after the hour mark when Jo was let down by some slack defending in front of him allowing Godo to finish on the rebound after the South Korea goalkeeper saved well from Guessand.
Incredibly, the frame of the goal would deny South Korea for a third time as substitute Lee Kang-In’s effort bounced back off the foot of the post.
A fourth goal for the African side was perhaps slightly harsh on the Tigers but it came with the very last kick of the game through sub Wilfried Singo’s side-footed finish.
This abruptly ended South Korea’s three-game winning run without conceding, while Ivory Coast secured a morale-boosting win.