Kolo Toure insists the Ivory Coast have nothing left to prove at this summer's World Cup - other than being able to win.

The Elephants were hugely impressive in their opening encounter with Argentina on Saturday with only a lack of finesse in front of goal preventing them grabbing a draw against a side many predict will be contesting the final in Berlin on July 9.

As World Cup debuts go, it was certainly a performance to savour from the Africans.

And, while Friday's clash with the buoyant Netherlands and a final Group C encounter against the defensively-solid Serbia and Montenegro does not inspire too much confidence the Ivorians can reach the knock-out phase, Toure is optimistic.

"We have proved we can play well, now we have to prove we can win as well," said the Arsenal centre-half. "We have everything else, as our performance against Argentina proved.

"They are used to playing in World Cups. They understand the atmosphere around the tournament. They are very mature in the way they approach the games.

"Yet, if you look back, the only difference between the sides on Saturday was that Argentina took their chances and we didn't.

"If we could play the same way again on Friday, I would be really happy - I would just want some goals to go with it."

Toure insists the Ivory Coast will improve on their performance against the Argentinians, with some harsh lessons already sinking in.

One in particular is their defending at set pieces. Juan Roman Riquelme caused panic in the Ivorians box with the free-kick which led to Hernan Crespo's opener and, with Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben capable of causing equal devastation for the Dutch, Toure knows his team will have to be on their guard.

"We have conceded at one set piece situation and we have to ensure it does not happen again," he said.

"They are obviously key components in a game and we need to be fully focussed because we cannot afford to let it happen again."

The individual tasks are not getting any easier for Toure.

After trying to stifle Crespo last weekend, he is presented with the job of subduing Ruud van Nistelrooy on Friday.

A reminder was enough to bring a jovial gasp of fear from Toure, who accepts facing the biggest names in the game comes with the territory when you are appearing in the biggest competition of all.

"They are hard challenges, but very exciting ones," he said. "They are something to look forward to when you are doing it in a World Cup.

"In a way, just being here has made the people back home so proud of us. But we want to pick up something from Friday's game to make them even happier."