Pepe sends Ivory Coast into World Cup knockouts for first time

Nicolas Pepe scored both goals as Ivory Coast beat Curacao 2-0 on Thursday to reach the World Cup knockout stage for the first time, Reuters reported. The result moved the West African side through from Group E and ended Curacao’s first appearance at the tournament.

Reuters reported that Ivory Coast finished second in the group with six points. The team had gone out in the group stage in each of its three previous World Cup appearances, from 2006 through 2014.

Ivory Coast will play on Tuesday in Arlington, Texas, against the runner-up from Group I, where France and Norway were still in contention for that spot, according to Reuters.

Pepe strikes early and again after halftime

Pepe opened the scoring in the seventh minute after Curacao lost the ball while trying to build from the back, Reuters reported. Nineteen-year-old Yan Diomande reacted quickly, moved to the byline and cut the ball back toward Pepe at the near post.

Pepe met the pass first time from close range and drove a low shot through goalkeeper Eloy Room, according to Reuters. The goal continued a strong tournament from Diomande, whom Reuters credited with creating danger again in the Group E finale.

Reuters reported that the match, played in Philadelphia, slowed at times under sunny conditions and temperatures around 30 degrees Celsius. Ivory Coast added the second goal in the 64th minute when Ibrahim Sangare sent a through-ball into Pepe’s path inside the penalty area.

Pepe took the chance from about 12 yards, curling his shot past Room and inside the left post, Reuters reported. The two finishes were his first goals in a competitive international match since October 11, 2024, according to Reuters.

Curacao’s debut run ends

Curacao became the eighth team eliminated from the tournament, Reuters reported. The Caribbean side had qualified last November as the smallest nation to reach a World Cup finals, making its run one of the notable stories of the expanded field.

Reuters reported that Curacao still created chances before and after halftime. Leandro Bacuna carried the ball through three defenders in the 44th minute and entered the left side of the penalty area, but his low shot went wide of the near post.

Ten minutes into the second half, Sherel Floranus found room outside the penalty area and struck an effort narrowly over the top right corner of Yahia Fofana’s goal, according to Reuters. Curacao could not turn those openings into a goal.

The match may have been Curacao’s last under 78-year-old Dutch coach Dick Advocaat, Reuters reported. Advocaat was managing at his third World Cup.

Reuters also reported that Amad Diallo, who scored Ivory Coast’s first goal of the tournament, left the match at halftime. It was not clear whether an injury caused the substitution.

Pepe’s role as match-winner came after a stretch in which Reuters reported he had not scored in five World Cup qualifying appearances and had not been selected for manager Emerse Fae’s recent Africa Cup of Nations squad. On Thursday, his two goals carried Ivory Coast into new territory.

This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.