Nicolas Pépé needed seven minutes to tilt Curaçao vs Ivory Coast toward history, then struck again to seal a 2-0 World Cup win in Philadelphia that carried the Elephants into the knockout stage.
Pépé punishes Curaçao early
The decisive pattern appeared almost immediately at Lincoln Financial Field. In the 7th minute, Yan Diomande drove up the left and sent the ball toward the 6-yard area, where Curaçao failed to clear and Pépé tapped in past Blue Wave goalkeeper Eloy Room.
That goal gave Ivory Coast a 1-0 half-time lead and allowed them to manage the match rather than chase it. Their control showed in the ball: 63% possession, enough to slow Curaçao’s surges and keep the game on Ivorian terms.
Ivory Coast control Curaçao pressure
The numbers told a more layered story than the scoreline. Curaçao finished with 11 total shots to Ivory Coast’s 7, but only 2 were on target, while the Elephants put 3 on target and made their cleaner moments count.
Ivory Coast also won the corner count 6-4, and the pressure around Curaçao’s defending showed in discipline. The hosts committed 11 fouls and received 2 yellow cards, compared with 6 fouls and 1 booking for Ivory Coast.
Sangaré releases Pépé to decide history
The second goal arrived in the 64th minute and ended the contest. Ibrahim Sangaré delivered an excellent pass into the danger area, Pépé ran between defenders and drilled his finish from near the line of the 18-yard box for his second goal of the night.
Curaçao pushed late to break the clean sheet, but the Blue Wave could not find a way through. They finish their first World Cup campaign fourth in the group on 1 point, with 0 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses.
Ivory Coast move on as the group’s second-placed side with 6 points from 2 wins and 1 loss. The result also marks a national milestone: the Elephants have reached the knockout stage of the World Cup for the first time.
Match Information
Competition: World Cup. Date & Time: Thursday 25 June 2026, 22:00 CET. Venue: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia. Referee: Glenn Nyberg, Sweden.
