Nicolas Pepe hits World Cup brace against Curaçao as Villarreal's mark grows | OneFootball

Nicolas Pepe struck twice against Curaçao, becoming the second Villarreal player to score at this World Cup after Alex Freeman of the United States. El Periódico Mediterráneo notes the winger’s display further burnished the club’s presence on the global stage.

His first arrived in minute seven. Drifting into the box like a centre forward, he met a cut-back from Diomandé and finished calmly to put Ivory Coast ahead. It underlined his growing prominence in the team’s attacking plan.

Despite missing the last Africa Cup of Nations, Pepe has regained influence at this World Cup. He has often worked as a second striker, finding pockets and running beyond, in keeping with the strong finish to the season he delivered under Marcelino at Villarreal. He had already impressed against Ecuador in the opener.

After the break he completed his brace with a trademark move, darting in behind, gaining the run, then drilling a low cross-shot to punish Curaçao again.

The brace carries a historical note for Villarreal. The last Submarine player to score twice in a World Cup match was Denis Cheryshev for Russia in the 2018 opener against Saudi Arabia. Ivory Coast finished second in Group E with six points, behind Germany, and will face the Group I runners-up, either France or Norway, in the round of 32.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo