• Nicolas Pepe scores twice to secure Ivory Coast’s first-ever World Cup knockout phase.
• Ivory Coast defeated Curacao 2-0, eliminating the Caribbean team from the tournament.
• Curacao became the smallest nation to qualify for the World Cup finals but finished last in Group E.
• The Ivorian team will face the second-place team from Group I: France or Norway.
• Pepe's goals marked his return to form after a challenging period in international play.

Nicolas Pepe's brace secured Ivory Coast’s historic advancement to the World Cup knockout phase with a 2-0 victory over Curacao, finishing second in Group E. This marks their first progression past the group stage since their World Cup debut in 2006, where they finished third in all three previous appearances from 2006 to 2014, according to Reuters, Al Jazeera, and Channel News Asia.

Curacao, after becoming the smallest nation to qualify for the World Cup finals, faced early elimination and finished as the eighth team out of the tournament. Despite having their chances in the match, they could not capitalize, and the defeat marked a disappointing end for the team managed by the 78-year-old Dutchman Dick Advocaat, as reported by Reuters and Channel News Asia.

Pepe's performance was particularly significant, scoring both goals which marked his first in a competitive international match since October 2024. He took advantage of a Curacao defensive error for his first goal just seven minutes into the game, and later curled in a second with a perfect pass from Ibrahim Sangare, demonstrating a solid attacking partnership, according to Al Jazeera, and Reuters.