As Zachary's thunderous volley found the back of the net, the bar in Abidjan erupted into jubilant celebrations.
Kwame Bamba, Adeoluwa Soro, and Yannick Goué caught up in the euphoria, joined the chorus of cheers and hugs that swept through the crowd. Strangers became instant friends as they high-fived and chanted in unison, their voices echoing with Ivorian pride.
Across from them, a particularly passionate fan had shed his shirt, his fists pumping in the air as he bellowed the names of Ivory Coast and Zachary. The excitement levels were sky-high, the energy waves profound as the fans reveled in their team's early lead against Russia.
As the cheers began to subside, the familiar voice of the commentator on the screen caught their attention again. The commentator's excitement was evident as he lauded Ivory Coast's stunning goal and Zachary's exceptional skill in executing the volley that had left the Russian goalkeeper helpless.