Curacao 0-2 Ivory Coast: Nicolas Pepe inspires Les Elephants to escape World Cup group for first time | OneFootball

Blue Wave exit debut finals with a whimper

Nicolas Pepe hit a brace to fire the Ivory Coast to the World Cup knockout stages for the first time, securing a 2-0 victory which eliminated tournament debutants Curacao.

The former Arsenal man, now of Villarreal, gave his country the lead after just seven minutes at the Philadelphia Stadium, tapping home from close range after good work from Yan Diomande.

Forward Pepe then collected a pass from Ibrahim Sangare to double his tally in the 64th minute, curling a sweet finish beyond the outstretched hand of Eloy Room.

Ivory Coast go through as Group E runners-up and will face either France or Norway in the last 32, pending the outcome of those two nations’ meeting on Friday.

Following a 1-0 victory over Ecuador and 2-1 defeat to Germany, the three-time African champions kicked off knowing a draw would be sufficient to progress.

Emerse Fae’s side made a dream start, with Diomande capitalising on a defensive error to tee up Pepe to sweep home a first-time finish from inside the six-yard box.

Curacao came into the contest still in contention to reach the second round after securing a landmark first World Cup point by holding Ecuador to a goalless draw on Saturday.

Dick Advocaat’s team rarely looked like adding to the goal they managed in their opening 7-1 defeat to Germany and were dealt a knockout blow just after the hour mark when Pepe fired into the left side of the net after being played in by Nottingham Forest midfielder Sangare.