Nicolas Pepe Double Fires Ivory Coast into First-Ever World Cup Knockout Stage
ARLINGTON, United States — Nicolas Pepe scored a brace as the Ivory Coast defeated Curacao 2-0 on Thursday to secure a historic place in the FIFA World Cup knockout stage for the first time.
The Elephants finished second in Group E, ending a long wait after failing to progress beyond the group stage in each of their previous World Cup appearances between 2006 and 2014.
The victory also ended Curacao’s remarkable debut World Cup campaign. The Caribbean nation, the smallest country ever to qualify for the tournament finals, became the eighth team eliminated despite exceeding many pre-tournament expectations.
Ivory Coast will now face the runners-up from Group I, either France or Norway, in the Round of 32 on Tuesday in Arlington, Texas.
Pepe emerged as the unlikely hero after a difficult spell with the national team. The forward had failed to score during World Cup qualifying and was omitted from coach Emerse Fae’s recent Africa Cup of Nations squad. However, he rediscovered his form when it mattered most, scoring his first competitive international goals since October 2024.
The breakthrough came after impressive work from 19-year-old Yan Diomande, who capitalised on a defensive error as Curacao attempted to play out from the back. Diomande raced to the byline before cutting the ball back for Pepe, who fired a first-time low finish past goalkeeper Eloy Room from close range.
Pepe completed his brace in the second half after Ibrahim Sangare produced a perfectly weighted through ball that split the Curacao defence. The former Arsenal winger timed his run well before calmly curling his shot inside the left post from just inside the penalty area.
Despite the Ivory Coast’s dominance, Curacao created several promising opportunities. Just before halftime, captain Leandro Bacuna weaved past three defenders but dragged his effort narrowly wide of the near post. After the break, Sherel Floranus also threatened, firing just over the crossbar.
Ivory Coast was dealt a potential concern when Manchester United winger Amad Diallo, who scored the team’s opening goal of the tournament earlier in the group stage, was substituted at halftime. The reason for his withdrawal was not immediately disclosed.