Ivory Coast beat Curacao 2-0 to reach World Cup knockout stage

Nicolas Pepe scored twice as Ivory Coast defeated Curacao 2‑0 on Thursday, securing their first-ever appearance in the World Cup knockout stage and ending the Caribbean nation’s run.

Former Arsenal striker Pepe, now with Villarreal, opened the scoring for the Elephants after seven minutes and added a second just after the hour mark.

With this victory, Ivory Coast finished Group E with six points, following a 1‑0 win over Ecuador and a 2‑1 loss to Germany.

The team advanced in second place behind Germany on head‑to‑head, as the Germans were defeated 2‑1 by Ecuador in New Jersey at the same time.

The 2024 African champions had never previously advanced from their group in their three prior World Cup appearances; their historic performance earns them a last‑32 match next Tuesday in Dallas.

They will face the runners‑up of Group I, setting up a challenging encounter against either France or Norway.

Curacao, with a population of just 160,000, had already made history by qualifying for the World Cup, but the smallest nation ever to reach the finals finished bottom of their group without a win.

Dick Advocaat’s side were thrashed 7‑1 by Germany on their tournament debut, but the high point came in the next match when they held Ecuador to a 0‑0 draw.

They could not replicate that performance in this game, but they still pleased their fans in a match watched by a sell‑out crowd of 68,324 at Lincoln Financial Field—an attendance that underscores the World Cup’s impact in the United States.

Orange Ivory Coast shirts were visible throughout the venue, and fans celebrated early when the opening goal arrived.

Yan Diomande, one of the most exciting young talents at the tournament, provided the assist as the RB Leipzig winger cut the ball back for Pepe to finish.

Ten of Curacao’s starting players were born in the Netherlands, and many have previously represented the Dutch national team at various levels, including the senior side.

They were not a weak side and had opportunities, such as when Jurien Gaari’s shot just missed the post from range, and Leandro Bacuna’s late first‑half attempt that went wide.

Sherel Floranus narrowly missed a goal shortly after the restart, but Curacao could not recover after falling further behind in the 64th minute.

Ibrahim Sangare of Nottingham Forest created the second goal with an excellent through ball for Pepe, who controlled the ball inside the area before slotting it past Eloy Room into the far corner.

AFP