Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleIvory Coast's Nicolas Pepe celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates (Reuters)Ivory Coast secured their place in the World Cup knockout stages for the first time, defeating tournament debutants Curacao 2-0. Nicolas Pepe, the Arsenal record signing who now plays for Villarreal, scored both goals for Ivory Coast, opening the scoring in the seventh minute from Yan Diomande's assist. Pepe doubled his tally in the 64th minute, collecting a pass from Nottingham Forest midfielder Ibrahim Sangare to seal the victory. The win means Ivory Coast progress as Group E runners-up and are set to face either France or Norway in the last 32. Curacao, who had previously drawn with Ecuador, were eliminated from the competition after failing to add to their single goal scored in the tournament. In fullNicolas Pepe inspires Ivory Coast into World Cup knockouts to end Curacao dreamThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

Nicolas Pépé scored against Curaçao on June 25, 2026, putting Ivory Coast on track to reach the World Cup knockout rounds for the first time in four

The Athletic's writers discuss the key talking points from Ivory Coast's comfortable 2-0 win

Nicolas Pepe scored twice as Ivory Coast beat Curacao 2-0 on Thursday to reach the World Cup knockout rounds for the first time ever and bring the tiny Caribbean country's run at…

PHILADELPHIA: Nicolas Pepe’s double sealed Ivory Coast’s first trip to the World Cup knockout phase with a 2-0 victory over Curacao on Thursday (Jun 25) to finish second in Group…

PHILADELPHIA, June 25 : Nicolas Pepe’s double sealed Ivory Coast’s first trip to the World Cup knockout phase with a 2-0 victory over Curacao on Thursday to finish second in Group…

The former Arsenal winger Nicolas Pépé scored both goals as Côte d’Ivoire beat Curaçao 2-0 to finish second in their group and reach the last 32

Ivory Coast finish with six points in Group E with this victory following their opening 1-0 win over Ecuador and a 2-1 loss to Germany.

Ivory Coast advances to the World Cup knockout stage, thanks to Pepe's two goals, eliminating Curacao from the tournament.

The West Africans will face the second-place finisher between France and Norway in Group I on Tuesday in Texas.

World Cup 2026 Ivory Coast beat Curaçao 2-0 in Philadelphia as Nicolas Pépé scored twice to reach the knockout rounds for the first time ever.

With six points, Ivory Coast finished runners-up to Germany in Group E

Nicolas Pepe's double sealed a 2-0 victory over Curacao, propelling Ivory Coast to their first-ever World Cup knockout stage and leaving debutants Curacao at the bottom of Group E.

The Ivorians finished second in their group

Curacao 0-2 Ivory Coast: Pepe’s double helped ensured his nation’s presence in the World Cup round of 32

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Ivory Coast got goals from Nicolas Pépé in each half and advanced to the World Cup knockout round for the first time in the West African team’s history with a…

Nicolas Pepe struck a brilliant brace as Ivory Coast scripted history by storming into the World Cup knockout rounds for the very first time with a comfortable 2-0 victory over…

Ivory Coast forward Nicolas Pepe believes the Elephants can keep on going at the World Cup after beating Curacao 2-0 on Thursday to reach the knockout rounds for the first time in…

Les Éléphants have crashed the party and made it out of their group for the first time in four World Cup appearances. Pépé scored in each half and Ivory Coast advanced with a 2-0…

Nicolas Pepe scored twice as Côte d’Ivoire beat Curacao 2-0 last night to reach the 2026 World Cup knockout rounds for the first time ever and bring the tiny Caribbean country’s…

Ivory Coast reaches World Cup knockout stage for the first time after Nicolas Pépé’s brace beats Curaçao 2-0, sparking huge celebrations in Abidjan.