By Dwayne Ferreira.
Nicolas Pépé scores twice as Ivory Coast beat Curaçao 2-0, reach their first World Cup knockout stage and finish second in a very tight Group E.
Ivory Coast reached the FIFA World Cup knockout stage for the first time after Nicolas Pépé scored twice in a controlled 2-0 Group E victory over Curaçao in Philadelphia.
Emerse Faé’s side began the final group match in second place with three points, knowing a draw would probably be enough to advance. Curaçao, the smallest country ever to qualify for the men’s World Cup, needed victory after recovering from a 7-1 defeat by Germany to hold Ecuador 0-0.
Ivory Coast made four changes following their narrow loss to Germany and immediately attacked with greater speed. Teenager Yan Diomande repeatedly carried the ball at Curaçao’s defence, while Amad Diallo and Pépé moved across the front line to create uncertainty around Eloy Room’s penalty area.
The opening goal arrived in the seventh minute after Curaçao lost possession while attempting to play out from the back. Diomande reacted quickest, reached the byline and cut the ball towards the near post, where Pépé drove a first-time finish through Room from close range.
Curaçao refused to collapse and produced their best first-half moment shortly before the interval. Leandro Bacuna dribbled beyond three defenders into the left side of the area, but his low attempt travelled wide of the near post. The chance offered encouragement without altering the balance of a match increasingly controlled by the Ivorians.
Faé was forced to remove Diallo at halftime, although Ivory Coast retained their attacking structure. Sherel Floranus threatened for Curaçao after the restart and fired narrowly over, but the Caribbean debutants could not sustain enough possession to place Yahia Fofana under prolonged pressure.
Pépé settled the contest in the 64th minute. Ibrahim Sangaré spotted the forward’s run between defenders and delivered a precise, line-breaking pass. Pépé controlled the opportunity and curled a composed finish inside the left post from approximately 10 metres.
The brace completed an unexpected personal revival. Pépé had failed to score during five World Cup qualifying appearances and had been omitted from Ivory Coast’s recent Africa Cup of Nations squad, but his first competitive international goals since October 2024 delivered the country’s biggest World Cup achievement.
Curaçao finished bottom of Group E with one point, yet their debut campaign contained more resilience than the table suggests. Room’s record-equalling 15-save performance against Ecuador and the team’s response to the Germany defeat ensured they left with a historic point and considerable respect.
Ivory Coast finished second behind Germany on goal difference, with both teams collecting six points. They will play the Group I runner-up in Arlington on June 30, with either France or Norway awaiting after that group’s final round. Curaçao’s tournament is over, and the match may also have been 78-year-old Dick Advocaat’s final appearance as an international coach.
MATCH SUMMARY
Curaçao – 0
Ivory Coast – 2
Nicolas Pépé 7’, 64’
Result: Ivory Coast won 2-0
Competition: FIFA World Cup 2026, Group E
Venue: Philadelphia Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Date: June 25, 2026
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