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Ivory Coast booked a place in the FIFA World Cup knockout stage for the first time in their history after Nicolas Pépé scored twice in a commanding 2-0 victory over Curaçao in their final Group E match on Thursday.
The Elephants needed only a draw to progress but wrapped up qualification in style, finishing second in the group with six points behind Germany. The result also marked the first time the West Africans have won two matches at a World Cup.
Pépé gave Ivory Coast the perfect start in the seventh minute after Yan Diomande capitalised on a defensive mistake before squaring the ball for the former Arsenal winger to finish from close range.
The 31-year-old completed his brace in the 64th minute, curling a superb left-footed effort into the top corner after being picked out by Ibrahim Sangaré to seal victory.
Curaçao, making their World Cup debut, produced another spirited display despite crashing out with one point from three matches. Juninho Bacuna came closest to scoring before half-time when he burst into the penalty area but fired narrowly wide, while goalkeeper Eloy Room made several saves to prevent a heavier defeat.
The Caribbean side leave the tournament with their heads held high after earning a historic draw against Ecuador and competing strongly against more experienced opponents throughout the group stage.
For Ivory Coast, the victory finally ends years of World Cup disappointment. Previous generations led by Didier Drogba and Yaya Touré failed to progress beyond the group stage in 2006, 2010 and 2014, with the latter campaign ending in heartbreak after a stoppage-time defeat to Greece.
Since missing the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, the Elephants have rebuilt under coach Emerse Faé, who guided the country to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations title. Their latest achievement now writes another chapter in Ivorian football history.
Ivory Coast will now face either France or Norway in the Round of 32 on June 30, while Curaçao bow out of the tournament after an encouraging first-ever World Cup campaign.
