PREVIEW: Curaçao look to spring major World Cup shock by escaping Group E against Ivory Coast | OneFootball

Curaçao will take on the Ivory Coast at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field tonight seeking to spring the shock of all shocks in Group E and qualify for the last 32.

No one thought the Blue Wave would be in this position after matchday one, when they lost 7-1 to Germany on their World Cup debut, but an Eloy Room-inspired point against Ecuador ensures that victory here will see them leapfrog tonight’s opponents into second.

And, indeed, they will have to win in order to qualify. A draw would take the Central Americans level on points with fellow World Cup debutants Cape Verde, who sit eighth in the list of best third placed teams, but the Blue Sharks have a better head-to-head record against their group opponents as well as a significantly superior goal difference.

Should Dick Advocaat’s side manage to get over the line against the African giants, it would represent possibly the biggest shock the World Cup has ever seen, with the Blue Wave the smallest nation ever to compete at the tournament.

So small is the island, in fact, that by total land area Doncaster is larger, with Leicester’s population of 388,000 more than double Curaçao’s 156,000.

Goalkeeper Room will once again be central to any success the Caribbeans may enjoy, continuing as manager Dick Advocaat’s number one.

Livano Comenencia keeps his place in the XI after his goal against Die Mannschaft and bright showing against Ecuador, while the Bacuna brothers, Leandro and Juninho, feature in midfield.

Tahith Chong, the only native Curaçaoan in a squad of players born overseas, starts opposite Juninho on the left flank.

And former Brighton striker Jürgen Locadia, who is yet to get his campaign up and running, will be keen to show the world he still has it after an inconsistent year for club side Miami FC and his country.

Standing in the Blue Wave’s way will be an Ivory Coast side out for blood after surrendering a one goal lead against Germany in their first World Cup for 12 years.

Les Éléphants led that game through Franck Kessié’s strike 30 minutes in, but were undone by a Denis Undav brace in the final half hour.

And having spurned the chance to qualify – and top the group – with that defeat, the West Africans will be laser-focused on getting the job done at the second time of asking.

Kessié is one of his side’s most experienced players, and starts alongside Nottingham Forest’s Ibrahim Sangare in midfield.

Leipzig hotshot Yan Diomande will look to further impress following strong showings against Germany and Ecuador, with Amad Diallo keen to bounce back opposite him after a poor performance against Die Nationalelf.

Inter Milan youngster Ange-Yoan Bonny was selected ahead of Elye Wahi against the Germans, and keeps his place, leading the line alongside ex-Arsenal forward Nicolas Pepe.

Curaçao vs Ivory Coast kicks off at 9pm tonight on BBC One, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.

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