Ivory Coast reached the FIFA World Cup knockout stage for the primary time of their historical past after Nicolas Pepe scored twice in a 2-0 victory over Curaçao on Wednesday.
The Elephants solely wanted a draw to qualify after profitable certainly one of their first two Group E matches. As an alternative, they sealed all three factors to complete second within the group with six factors.
Pepe gave Ivory Coast the proper begin within the seventh minute. Yan Diomande received the ball from Curaçao’s defence earlier than establishing the previous Arsenal winger, who calmly tapped into an empty internet.
Pepe accomplished his brace within the sixty fifth minute with a superb left-footed end into the highest nook, leaving goalkeeper Eloy Room with no likelihood.
The victory additionally noticed Ivory Coast win two matches at a World Cup for the primary time.
Regardless of their exit, Curaçao produced one other spirited show and created a number of possibilities. Their finest alternative got here simply earlier than half-time when Juninho Bacuna broke into the penalty space however fired his shot vast of the close to put up.
Curaçao, the smallest nation by inhabitants to play at a males’s FIFA World Cup, completed backside of Group E with one level from three matches. Nonetheless, they go away the event with credit score after incomes their first-ever World Cup level in a draw towards Ecuador.
Ivory Coast will now face the runners-up from Group I, both France or Norway, within the Spherical of 32 in Arlington, Texas, on June 30.
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