pépé's brace makes history | ivory coast blank curaçao 2-0 to reach round of 32
MATCH INFO
Curaçao 0-2 Ivory Coast
Date: June 25, 2026
Competition: FIFA World Cup - Group E
Venue: Philadelphia Stadium, Pennsylvania
ivory coast secured a historic ticket to the knockout phase of a fifa world cup for the very first time after defeating curaçao 2-0 at the philadelphia stadium. a brace from nicolas pépé ensured les éléphants finished second in group e with six points, ending curaçao's debut tournament run.
Goals
- minute 7 nicolas pépé finish: 0-1 ivory coast. yan diomandé capitalizes on sloppy passing from curaçao to win the ball back, sliding a rapid assist into pépé who calmly slots it home to give the africans the early advantage.
- minute 64 nicolas pépé strike: 0-2 ivory coast. driving into the box through heavy defensive traffic, pépé curls a beautiful effort past eloy room to grab his brace and put the match out of reach.
How It Went
ivory coast dominated the early exchanges, exploiting curaçao's nervousness to snatch a 7th-minute lead through pépé. although curaçao settled into the game and dug in defensively to prevent further first-half damage—even attempting a few counter-attacks—they struggled to truly test yahia fofana. the second half saw curaçao probe for an equalizer, but ivory coast's defense, anchored by odilon kossounou and ousmane diomande, held firm to record their second clean sheet of the tournament. pépé's brilliant solo effort midway through the second half ultimately crushed curaçao's hopes, sealing all three points.
Quick Take
- ivory coast finally break through the group stage glass ceiling, advancing to the knockouts for the first time in four world cup appearances.
- nicolas pépé was completely unplayable, producing a clutch double when his country needed it most.
- curaçao head home after their historic debut campaign. as the smallest nation to ever compete in the tournament, they can hold their heads high despite the exit.
- the group e runners-up will now face either france or norway in the round of 32 this coming friday.