Ivory Coast advance as Pepe scores twice to send Curacao home
Ivory Coast secured a spot in the World Cup knockout phase after a 2-0 victory over Curacao, led by two goals from Nicolas Pepe. Curacao, the smallest nation to qualify for the tournament, was eliminated following the loss.
Why it matters
This match marks a significant milestone for Ivory Coast's football program and highlights the competitive nature of the expanded 2026 World Cup.
Nicolas Pepe’s double sealed Ivory Coast’s first trip to the World Cup knockout phase with a 2-0 victory over Curacao on Thursday to finish second in Group E.
The article provides a straightforward sports recap of the match events and tournament standings.
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