Pépé brace sends Côte d'Ivoire through as Bonny struggles | OneFootball

Nicolas Pépé scored twice as Côte d'Ivoire beat Curaçao 2-0 to reach the World Cup knockout phase for the first time. It was also the first time they had won two matches in one edition.

Pépé struck in the seventh minute, then added his second on 64 after an assist from Ibrahim Sangaré on his 57th cap. Franck Kessié controlled the tempo and was replaced by Jean-Michaël Seri on 77 minutes. According to L'Équipe, Pépé was rated seven out of 10, with Kessié and Sangaré both given six.

Inter Milan forward Ange-Yoan Bonny received four. He ran and pressed but was ineffective as a pivot and loose with his touches.

For Curaçao, Juninho Bacuna was marked three. The Groningen midfielder failed to affect their rare attacks and suffered by comparison with the lively Tahith Chong, who was given six.

Right wing-back Joshua Brenet, of Kayserispor in Türkiye, earned four and was caught out positionally, notably for Pépé's opener.

Source: L'Équipe