◤FIFA World Cup in United States, Canada and Mexico◢ Nicolas Pépé scored twice as Côte d'Ivoire reached the next stage with a strong 0-2 win over Curaçao..

Côte d'Ivoire defeated Curaçao 2–0 in the final Group E match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in United States, Canada and Mexico held at the Philadelphia Stadium in Pennsylvania, on Thursday, advancing impressively as the group runner-up.

In the first half, Pépé scored with a close-range finish. In the second half, Pépé found the net again with a powerful strike. A crucial moment saw a pass from Touré nearly force an own goal from the opposition. Following this round the matches, the Pantera Negra finished at the bottom of the group with one point, while Les Éléphants advanced to the Round of 32s with six points, securing second place in the group.

First Half

Just 90 seconds into the match, Curaçao launched a quick counter-attack. Guéla Doué mishandled a clearance in his own back half, allowing Tahith Chong to intercept the ball and took a few steps before taking a left-footed long shot from just outside of of the penalty area, but his shot was saved by Yahia Fofana.

In the 6th minute, Côte d'Ivoire launched a deadly quick counte-rattack. Joshua Brenet failed to clear the ball effectively in his own back half. After intercepting the ball, Yan Diomandé took a few steps before passing horizontally from the byline at the left side of the box. Nicolas Pépé quickly followed up and upon receiving the pass, slotted the ball into the bottom right corner of the net with his left foot from a very close distance in the box to break the deadlock and give Côte d'Ivoire an early 1–0 lead! With this assist, the 19-year-old Diomandé set a record as the youngest player to have provided an assist in Les Éléphants' team history.

2 minutes later, Pépé made a straight pass from the right wing. Amad Diallo stopped the ball with his back to the goal and turned around before taking a left-footed long shot from just outside of the penalty area, but his shot went wide of the bottom left corner of the post.

In the 13th minute, Leandro Bacuna passes horizontally from the left wing. His younger brother, Juninho Bacuna quickly followed up, stopped the ball and adjusted his angle before taking a right-footed long shot from outside the penalty area, but his shot went wide of the bottom left corner of the post. 

9 minutes later, Franck Kessié played a long pass from his own back half; After beating the offside trap, Amad got the ball, cuts inside and took a few steps before taking a left-footed long shot from just outside of the penalty area, but his shot was blocked by Jurien Gaari.

In the 38th minute, Jürgen Locadia played a cut-back from the right side of the box. Chong quickly followed up and stopped the ball before taking a left-footed long shot from outside the penalty area, but his shot flew high and went out of the pitch.

5 minutes later, Sherel Floranus passes horizontally from the left wing. Leandro Bacuna quickly followed up, got the ball and cuts into the left side of the box before volleying with his right foot, but his shot went just slightly wide of the bottom left corner of the post.

At halftime, Curaçao temporarily enter the break trailing Côte d'Ivoire by 0–1.

Second Half

Both teams switched sides as the match continued. In the 52nd minute, Diomandé passes horizontally from the left wing. Franck Kessié got the ball and took a few steps before volleying with his right foot from the center of the box, but his shot was blocked by Livano Comenencia.

2 minutes later, Leandro Bacuna made a straight pass from the attacking half. Sherel Floranus quickly followed up and upon receiving the pass, took a left-footed long shot from outside the penalty area, but his shot went just slightly over the crossbar.

In the 64th minute, Ibrahim Sangaré played a through ball from the right wing. After beating the offside trap, Pépé quickly followed up, got the ball and took a few touches before volleying the ball with his right foot from the right side of the box which flew straight into the top left corner of the net to score his second goal of the match, leaving Eloy Room helpless. Côte d'Ivoire extended their lead to 0–2! This marked the 14th goal that the former Arsenal winger has scored for the Côte d'Ivoire national team across all competitions. 

9 minutes later, Locadia passes horizontally from the attacking third. Chong quickly followed up, got the ball and cuts into the right side of the box before volleying with his left foot, but his shot was saved by Yahia Fofana.

In the 78th minute, Curaçao won a corner kick opportunity. Jeremy Antonisse took the corner by crossing it into the box. Floranus flicked it on with a header, before Juninho Bacuna rose high and attempted with a header, however his effort sailed over the bar.

7 minutes later, Bazoumana Touré crossed the ball into the box from the left wing. Armando Obispo nearly deflected it into his own net while tracking back, but fortunately, the ball went wide of the bottom left corner of the post.

In the 88th minute, Tyrese Noslin took a right-footed long shot from 45 yards outside the box, but his shot was spectacularly saved by Yahia Fofana.

When the final whistle is blown, Côte d'Ivoire defeated Curaçao by 2–0.

Image source: Internet / AP