Ivory Coast reached the World Cup knockout rounds for the first time, beating Curacao 2-0 with both goals from Nicolas Pepe. Emerse Fae’s team only needed a draw to secure progress from Group E, yet Ivory Coast collected maximum points and ended Curacao’s debut campaign without a win from their three matches.

The result means Ivory Coast advance to the round of 32, where they will meet either France or Norway. Pepe scored after just seven minutes and struck again on 64 minutes, while Curacao created some openings but rarely forced Yahia Fofana into serious work. Ivory Coast also achieved two victories at a single World Cup for the first time.

Pepe, now 31 years and 27 days old, produced a standout display that underlined Ivory Coast’s experience advantage over opponents ranked 49 places lower in the FIFA listings. At this age, Pepe is the second-oldest African player to score twice in one World Cup game, behind Roger Milla, who recorded two braces for Cameroon in 1990 at 38.

The Villarreal forward also entered select Ivorian company. Pepe is only the second Ivory Coast player aged over 30 to score at a World Cup, alongside Didier Drogba, who found the net against Brazil in 2010 at 32 years and 101 days. Ivory Coast’s attacking quality ultimately proved the difference in a match where chances were limited.

Pepe’s first goal came early, after Curacao gifted Ivory Coast possession in a dangerous area. Jurien Gaari attempted a back pass towards Joshua Brenet, but the ball sat up nicely for Yan Diomande. The RB Leipzig forward drove into space on the right and delivered a low cross that Pepe swept into the net with confidence.

Curacao reacted positively after falling behind and prevented Ivory Coast from dominating. Diomande sent another teasing cross across the six-yard box that Amad Diallo could not quite reach. At the other end, Leandro Bacuna dragged a shot wide just before half-time, wasting Curacao’s best chance of the opening period after a rare spell of pressure.

Ivory Coast World Cup statistics and Nicolas Pepe record

The second half began with chances for both teams. Franck Kessie saw a shot deflect off Livano Comenencia and go narrowly wide, then Sherel Floranus fired over from distance during a frantic few minutes. Curacao’s belief grew, but Ivory Coast retained control of key moments and gradually slowed the game’s tempo when needed.

Ivory Coast’s crucial second arrived on 64 minutes and again involved elite technique from Pepe. Ibrahim Sangare spotted a run into the area and picked out Pepe with an accurate through ball. Pepe took one touch to steady and then curled a precise left-footed finish beyond Eloy Room, who could not reproduce the shot-stopping performance shown against Ecuador.

Curacao’s attacking data underlined their struggle to create clear chances. Dick Advocaat’s side attempted 11 shots but produced an expected goals figure of only 0.47, with just two efforts on target. Ivory Coast were more clinical, recording an xG of 1.3 from seven shots, and finished the group with a solid defensive record.

Diomande’s contribution added another layer to Ivory Coast’s display. The teenager, still at the beginning of an international career, became the first African teenager to assist at a World Cup since Cameroon pair Rigobert Song, aged 17 years and 354 days, and Marc Vivien Foe, aged 19 years and 50 days, both created goals in 1994.

Across Diomande’s first three World Cup appearances, the RB Leipzig player is the only footballer this century to both create at least 10 chances and complete at least 10 dribbles. Curacao tried to respond, with Tahith Chong’s strike easily saved by Fofana, before Armando Obispo diverted Bazoumana Toure’s late cross behind, denying Ivory Coast a third goal but not affecting their historic progress.

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