Pepe’s brace sends Ivory Coast to first knockouts as Curacao exit World Cup

The West Africans will face the second-place finisher between France and Norway in Group I on Tuesday in Texas.Nicolas Pepe’s double has sealed the Ivory Coast’s first-ever trip to the World Cup knockout phase in a 2-0 victory over Curacao.Pepe’s somewhat unlikely brace in the Group E finale helped the Ivorians finish second with six points, while eliminating debutants Curacao from contention on Thursday afternoon. Les Elephants finished third in their group in their three previous World Cup appearances from 2006 to 2014.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4South Africa stun South Korea to reach World Cup knockouts for the first timelist 2 of 4‘Support every Arab team’: In New York, the World Cup unites all Arab fanslist 3 of 4They fled war as child refugees, now they’re playing at World Cup 2026list 4 of 4Russia set to return to FIFA competition at inaugural U-15 World Cupend of listThe West Africans will face the second-place finisher between France and Norway in Group I on Tuesday in Arlington, Texas.Curacao became the eighth team eliminated at this tournament, a fate that arrived later than many anticipated after they became the smallest nation ever to qualify for a World Cup finals last November.The Blue Wave had their chances in this match, perhaps their last managed by 78-year-old Dutchman Dick Advocaat, who was taking charge of his third World Cup side.Players from Curacao and the Ivory Coast huddle after the World Cup Group E football match between their sides in Philadelphia, on June 25, 2026 [Matt Slocum/AP]Amad Diallo, the Ivory Coast’s first goal scorer of this tournament, departed at halftime, though it was unclear if injury played a role.After failing to score in five World Cup qualifying appearances and not being included in manager Emerse Fae’s recent African Cup of Nations squad, Pepe was not an obvious candidate to play hero.But he took both goals exceptionally well for his first tallies in a competitive international fixture since October 11, 2024.