Ifs, buts and maybes count for nothing at the World Cup finals and the Ivory Coast must take that lesson into their remaining two games in Group C, after they were beaten 2-1 by Argentina.
Nobody will remember how well the Ivorians played in their first ever game at the finals on Saturday. On paper they had more possession, shots and even corners, but it is only results that matter on football's biggest stage.
"We had a lot of chances but we did not take them and they did. That's the difference between big teams and small ones like us," Ivorian captain Didier Drogba told Reuters.
The Chelsea striker notched his team's only goal in the 82nd minute but it did not ease the pain of defeat.
"How can it? Football is not an individual sport, you win and lose as a team. We lost and that is what we will remember."
Two first half goals from Drogba's club mate Herman Crespo and Javier Saviola proved decisive and gives the Ivorians an even steeper learning curve to climb.
TOUGHEST GROUP
The African side find themselves in what many people consider the toughest group. They face the Netherlands in Stuttgart in five days time, before a game against Serbia and Montenegro in Munich on June 21.
Before the game, a lot was expected from them and even Drogba himself declared they could cause a surprise by winning the tournament.
But as England's Steven Gerrard said ahead of England's opening game against Paraguay, you can talk the talk, but must be able to walk the walk on the pitch.
"We were a little naive and we must not allow that to happen in the next game," Ivorian defender Emmanuel Eboue said.
"Didier is a great player but we all have to play well and this is something we also need to learn."
On a positive note, the statistics will show that the Ivory Coast were the winners in every area, except in front of goal.
Add that to the driving sense of urgency which they showed in the latter part of the second half, they may not leave empty-handed against the Dutch and the Serbs.
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