FIFA World Cup 2026: Côte d'Ivoire Beat Curaçao 2-0 To Reach Last 32
26 Jun 2026 3:35 AM IST26 Jun 2026 3:35 AM IST
Côte d'Ivoire will play June 30 against either France or Norway — whichever is the runner-up in Group I
Ivory Coast's Nicolas Pepe (19) celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the World Cup Group E match between Curacao and Ivory Coast in Philadelphia. (AP Photo)
Philadephia: Côte d'Ivoire got goals from Nicolas Pépé in each half and advanced to the World Cup knockout round for the first time in the West African team’s history with a 2-0 victory over Curaçao on Friday.
Les Éléphants have crashed the party and made it out of their group for the first time in four World Cup appearances.
Côte d'Ivoire beat Ecuador 1-0 in its tournament opener — at the same Philadelphia stadium as Thursday’s game — and lost to Germany in its Group E second game.
Côte d'Ivoire will play June 30 against either France or Norway — whichever is the runner-up in Group I.
Curaçao needed to win and instead failed to become the smallest nation to qualify for the knockout stages.
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