The Elephants produced a controlled and professional performance against the tournament debutants, advancing as runners-up behind Germany and sparking wild celebrations among Ivorian fans both in the stadium and back home.
Pépé Lights Up the Night
The former Arsenal forward opened the scoring in the 7th minute, pouncing on a loose ball after Curaçao failed to clear their lines and slotting home with composure. He sealed the victory in the 64th minute, combining beautifully with Ibrahim Sangaré before finishing neatly to make it 2-0.
This brace took Pépé’s tournament tally to impressive heights, underlining his status as Côte d’Ivoire’s talisman on the biggest stage.
A Night of Milestones
Curaçao, appearing at their first-ever World Cup, fought bravely and showed moments of quality but were ultimately outclassed by the greater experience and attacking threat of the West Africans. The Caribbean side exit the group with valuable learning experiences.
Full-time: Curaçao 0-2 Côte d’Ivoire Goals: Nicolas Pépé 7', 64' (Assists: Y. Diomandé 7', I. Sangaré 64')
With the win, Côte d’Ivoire finish with 6 points and advance to the Round of 32, where they will face a tough opponent from another group. This marks a historic breakthrough for a squad that has long been one of Africa’s powerhouses but had never previously progressed beyond the group stage in World Cup competition.
Key Performers
- Nicolas Pépé (Côte d’Ivoire) — Man of the Match: Two goals, constant danger on the wing.
- Ibrahim Sangaré — Dominant in midfield, provided the assist for the second goal.
- Curaçao’s defense — Showed resilience but couldn’t contain Pépé’s quality.
Group E Implications: Germany topped the group, Côte d’Ivoire claimed second, while Ecuador advanced as one of the best third-placed teams. Curaçao finished bottom but earned respect for their competitive spirit.
This victory represents a new dawn for Ivorian football. Under their coaching staff, the Elephants have blended youth and experience to achieve what many thought was impossible — Côte d’Ivoire are into the last 16 of the World Cup.
The celebrations will be loud across Abidjan and beyond tonight. A proud moment for African football.
Stay tuned for more 2026 FIFA World Cup coverage as the knockout stages heat up.