Ivory Coast's Historic World Cup Run
Ivory Coast makes history, advancing to World Cup knockout stage after dominant 2-0 win.
Key Points
Ivory Coast controlled about 62-63% of possession and dominated the match at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
Ibrahim Sangaré provided the assist for Pépé's second goal in the 64th minute.
Pépé, aged 31, became the second-oldest African player to score twice in a single World Cup match.
Emerse Faé, Ivory Coast’s head coach, guided a 2023 AFCON-winning side with an attacking plan that helped secure progression.
Ivory Coast had six corners to Curaçao’s four, and 11 shots (two on target) versus Curaçao’s seven shots (three on target).
Ivory Coast made history on June 25, 2026, advancing to the FIFA World Cup knockout stage for the first time ever. A 2-0 win over Curaçao at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia sealed their place as runners-up in Group E, ending a 20-year wait dating back to their 2006 debut Sky Sports.
Nicolas Pépé was the hero, scoring twice to send thousands of fans into the streets of Abidjan. The 31-year-old struck in the 7th minute and again in the 64th, putting to rest the ghosts of early exits suffered by Didier Drogba's golden generation Africa News.
Pépé Strikes Twice to Seal Historic Night
The opening goal came fast. Nineteen-year-old Yan Diomandé cut the ball back in the 7th minute, and Pépé finished from close range The Hindu. It was a moment that showed the blend of youth and experience Ivory Coast have built under coach Emerse Faé.
Pépé made it two in the 64th minute with a curling effort from the edge of the box, assisted by Ibrahim Sangaré Flashscore. The goal was clinical. Ivory Coast had just 11 shots in the match — only two on target — but scored from both. Pépé said post-match, "We aren't setting any limits for ourselves. I think we have huge potential" Africa News.
Ivory Coast Control the Game From Start to Finish
The Elephants dominated possession, holding 63% of the ball throughout Nepal News. They won six corners to Curaçao's four. Franck Kessié, the captain, helped the team manage the game in the final 30 minutes, keeping Curaçao at arm's length.
Curaçao, making their World Cup debut, were not without chances. They created seven shots, three on target — more on target than Ivory Coast — but could not convert. It was a brave effort from the smallest nation in the tournament, who finished with one point from three matches Al Jazeera.
Ecuador's Result Locks In Ivory Coast's Second Place
The final Group E table was decided simultaneously. Ecuador beat Germany 2-1 in New Jersey, meaning Germany topped the group with six points. Ivory Coast also finished on six points but edged ahead of Ecuador on goal difference, plus two compared to Ecuador's plus one The Hindu.
Coach Faé described the moment as one of "immense pride," saying "Ivory Coast deserves this" Flashscore. His side won the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and has now followed that up with a first-ever World Cup knockout berth. The team lost 2-1 to Germany in their second group game but bounced back to finish the job.
A Record for Pépé and a Round of 32 Clash to Come
Pépé's brace came with a personal milestone attached. At 31 years and 26 days old, he became the second-oldest African player to score twice in a single World Cup match, behind only Cameroon legend Roger Milla Nepal News. It is a remarkable turnaround for a player once written off as an "Arsenal flop" Sky Sports.
Ivory Coast now travel to Arlington, Texas, for their Round of 32 match on June 30. They are likely to face the second-place finisher from Group I, a battle currently between France and Norway Al Jazeera. After 20 years of heartbreak, the Elephants are not done yet.
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