Sven-Goran Eriksson's

Sven-Goran Eriksson's first match at the Côte d'Ivoire helm finished in a draw against Paraguay as the two World Cup qualifiers fine-tuned their preparations in Thonon Les-Bains, France.

The game sprang into life after the interval, following a goalless first half. Chelsea striker Didier Drogba opened the scoring for the Elephants nine minutes after the break when he netted his 44th international goal with a deflected free-kick, and Hibernian defender Sol Bamba extended their advantage with a 74th-minute volley.

But substitute Lucas Barrios pulled one back for the South Americans with a low shot a minute later and Aureliano Torres equalised a minute from time to deny Eriksson a winning start to his regime.

The Swede, who took up his new post on March 28, will oversee one more friendly - against Japan on Friday - before leading his team in South Africa, where the Ivorians will play Portugal, Brazil and Korea DPR in the so-called 'group of death'.

The Paraguayans, who tackle Greece in their final warm-up friendly on Wednesday, have been drawn in Group F alongside Italy, Slovakia and New Zealand.