History for Les Éléphants: Pépé brace sends Ivory Coast into the World Cup knockouts for the first time

Nicolas Pépé scored twice as Ivory Coast beat Curaçao 2-0 in Philadelphia to finish second in Group E and reach the World Cup knockout stage for the first time in the nation's history. Tournament debutants Curaçao bow out.

Ivory Coast have made history. A clinical 2-0 win over Curaçao in Philadelphia, both goals from Nicolas Pépé, carried Les Éléphants into the knockout rounds of a World Cup for the first time in the nation's history. After three previous tournaments that ended at the group stage, the breakthrough has finally come.

It started early. On seven minutes Curaçao gifted Ivory Coast an opening, a loose backpass seized upon by the young forward Yan Diomandé, who squared it for Pépé to slot home. It was Ivory Coast's fastest goal at any World Cup, and it settled the nerves at once.

From there Emerse Faé's side took control. They had nearly two-thirds of the ball, moved it with real purpose, and looked dangerous every time Pépé and the flying wingers got going. Curaçao, the tournament's plucky debutants, fought hard but rarely threatened.

The game was put to bed on sixty-four minutes, and it was a goal worthy of the occasion. Ibrahim Sangaré threaded an inch-perfect pass into the box, Pépé took it in his stride and curled a sumptuous finish into the far corner. Vintage Pépé, on the biggest night of his international career.

For Curaçao there is no shame in the manner of their exit. The smallest nation by population ever to reach a World Cup, they competed with heart across the group, marshalled by familiar faces like Tahith Chong and the Bacuna brothers. Their World Cup story ends here, but it was a story worth telling.

Ivory Coast finish second in Group E behind Germany, who pipped them on goal difference, and march on after a campaign that featured a narrow loss to the Germans and a win over Ecuador. The knockouts, uncharted territory for the Ivorians, now await.

For Kenya and the whole continent, this was a night to roar. Ivory Coast, African champions on home soil in 2024, breaking new ground at the World Cup is a moment of continental pride, and screens across Nairobi celebrated as one. Tembo wa Côte d'Ivoire wamevunja rekodi, Afrika tunaendelea kuandika historia: the Elephants of Ivory Coast have broken new ground, and Africa keeps writing history. With South Africa already through, the continent is making this its tournament. Our Africa round-one verdict backed Ivory Coast to deliver, and Pépé made sure they did.