Overview
- Ivory Coast beat debutants Curaçao 2-0 at Philadelphia Stadium on Thursday, with Nicolas Pépé scoring in the sixth minute and again in the 63rd minute.
- Pépé's first goal followed an error in Curaçao's buildup and was assisted by O. Diomandé, while the second involved a key pass from Sangaré.
- The result put Ivory Coast second in Group E behind Germany on goal difference and guaranteed them a place in the round of 16.
- Curaçao, making their first World Cup appearance and the smallest nation by population to qualify, finish the group with one point and exit the tournament.
- Ivory Coast will face the runner-up from Group I—either France or Norway—on June 30 at 19:00, a match that will test their transition from group play to knockout strategy.