Ivory Coast Beat Curacao to Reach World Cup Round of 32

Ivory Coast secured a comfortable 2-0 victory over Curacao on Thursday to book their place in the Round of 32 with a winning finish to their Group E campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Philadelphia Stadium in the United States.

The Ivorians took the lead in the seventh minute through Nicolas Pepe. The forward finished confidently after Yan Diomande capitalized on a misplaced pass from the Curacao defense and provided the decisive assist.

Ivory Coast continued to create chances and looked capable of increasing their advantage, but Curacao defended with determination while also posing a threat on the counterattack in search of an equalizer.

Despite the opportunities at both ends, Ivory Coast carried their one-goal advantage into the halftime break.

Curacao began the second half with greater intensity and put sustained pressure on the Ivory Coast defense. However, it was Ivory Coast who struck again. In the 64th minute, Pepe surged into the penalty area before curling a precise shot beyond the goalkeeper to score his second goal of the match and seal the victory.

The win saw Ivory Coast finish second in Group E and advance to the Round of 32, while Curacao concluded their debut FIFA World Cup campaign at the bottom of the group standings.

Based on the current bracket, Ivory Coast will face Norway in the Round of 32.

Stabil.Az