IVORY Coast finally banished their long-standing World Cup group-stage curse after Nicolas Pepe struck twice to inspire a 2-0 victory over Curacao, sending the African champions into the knockout rounds for the first time in their history.
Needing only a draw to secure qualification, the Ivorians instead produced a composed display to claim all three points and finish second in Group E with six points, marking the first time they have won two matches at a single World Cup.
The BBC cited that the breakthrough arrived after only seven minutes when Curacao's defence hesitated in possession, allowing Yan Diomande to rob the ball before squaring for Pepe to finish from close range.
The former Arsenal forward, omitted from Ivory Coast's Africa Cup of Nations squad earlier this year, completed his redemption in the 65th minute with a superb left-footed strike into the top corner beyond goalkeeper Eloy Room.
The landmark victory ends years of frustration for Ivory Coast, who had failed to progress beyond the group stage in each of their previous three World Cup appearances despite boasting one of Africa's most celebrated generations of talent.
"My message to fans would be to enjoy this historic qualification, celebrate it," Ivory Coast manager Emerse Fae told his post-match media conference.
"Once we are done celebrating, please continue sending us positive vibes so we can go as far as we can in this tournament.
"I am very happy with this result. Not everything was perfect but not conceding is good for our morale. Now our group has to bask in this victory. It is easy to recuperate after a victory.
"This group is growing. They are all at their first World Cup but they are growing well - it is a team that sticks together. Even the players competing for similar positions are laughing together, always together. We have healthy competition which helps every player give their best."
Although eliminated, Curacao enhanced their reputation throughout the tournament as the smallest nation by population ever to compete at a men's World Cup.
The Caribbean side refused to be overawed and fashioned several promising opportunities, with Juninho Bacuna coming closest before half-time when he burst through the Ivory Coast defence but fired narrowly wide of the near post.
Curacao depart the competition with one point from three matches, having earned their first-ever World Cup point with a draw against Ecuador.
For Ivory Coast, however, the result represents the end of a painful chapter stretching back two decades.
The country's celebrated "golden generation", featuring Didier Drogba and Yaya Toure, never managed to reach the knockout stages despite appearing at the 2006, 2010 and 2014 tournaments. Near misses, difficult group draws and a dramatic stoppage-time elimination by Greece in 2014 left a lingering sense of unfulfilled potential.
That burden has now been lifted by a new generation forged under Fae, whose leadership has continued the momentum generated by Ivory Coast's remarkable Africa Cup of Nations triumph in 2023.
Ivory Coast will next face the runners-up from Group I, either France or Norway, in the Round of 32 in Arlington, Texas, on 30 June. - June 26, 2026
