Nicolas Pepe scored twice to lead Ivory Coast to a 2-0 victory over Curacao, securing the team's first-ever spot in the World Cup knockout stage. This result guarantees second place in Group E for the Ivorian side, while debutant Curacao exits the tournament.
What Happened
Ivory Coast has advanced to the World Cup knockout stage for the first time in the nation's history following a 2-0 victory against Curacao in the Group E finale. Forward Nicolas Pepe, who had not scored in a competitive international match since October 2024, netted both goals to secure the win. The result places Ivory Coast second in Group E, ending the campaign for debutant Curacao.
Historical Milestone
This advancement marks a significant achievement for the Ivory Coast national team, often called Les Elephants. During their three previous World Cup appearances between 2006 and 2014, the team was consistently eliminated during the group stages. By securing this knockout berth, they have surpassed their previous tournament records.
Match Breakdown
Ivory Coast opened the scoring early, with Pepe finding the net in the seventh minute. The goal followed a defensive error by Curacao, which allowed 19-year-old Yan Diomande to win possession and deliver a cutback from the byline. Pepe, charging toward the near post, converted the chance with a low finish.
The second goal arrived in the 64th minute. Ibrahim Sangare provided a through-ball to Pepe, who maneuvered into the box and curled the shot into the far left corner of the net, extending the lead to 2-0. Curacao attempted to respond with efforts from Leandro Bacuna and Sherel Floranus, but neither was able to find the target.
Curacao’s Tournament Exit
For Curacao, the loss concludes their tournament as the eighth nation to be eliminated. The team, coached by veteran Dutch manager Dick Advocaat, leaves the competition after qualifying as the smallest nation to ever reach the World Cup finals. Despite failing to capitalize on their chances in the final match, their qualification to the tournament is viewed as a notable accomplishment for the Caribbean side.
What Comes Next
With the group stage now complete, Ivory Coast prepares for the knockout rounds. They are scheduled to play their next match on Tuesday in Arlington, Texas. Their opponent will be the second-place finisher from Group I, which will be determined by the final results between France and Norway.