Curacao v Cote d'Ivoire – World Cup result as Nicolas Pepe sends Elephants into round of 32 for first time

Côte d’Ivoire booked their ticket to the World Cup knockouts for the first time after a 2-0 victory over Group E opponents Curacao. 

Two goals from Nicolas Pepe put The Elephants in second place behind Germany, and they will face fierce contenders in either France or Norway next.

It was an electric start with attempts from both sides, but it would be Pepe who scored first just seven minutes into the match. 

He capitalised on a split second of poor defending to slide the ball past keeper Eloy Room, who had produced a stunning clean sheet against Ecuador last week.

Curacao kept their heads up, keeping a good amount of possession to generate a few attacking moments. But they could not get into the final third to put much real pressure on Yahia Fofana.

Momentum from both teams steadily dropped into a lull before half-time, but the break seemed to shake them back into action. 

Curacao came through with the first chance, a close attempt from Sherel Constancio Floranus that flew just over the bar.

Substitute Jeremy Antonisse nearly scored off the bench as a ball was played through, but he was just short of pace before Fofana took control. 

Then in the 64th minute, Pepe would shine again as he sent a left-footed strike past Room to seal the win.

Despite increasingly urgent attacks from Curacao, including a strike from Tyrese Noslin that forced Fofana into a save, they could not find a way through The Elephants’ defence.

Emotions were high as the final whistle blew, as Emerse Fae’s men made history in Philadelphia. 

They will await the outcome of the game between France and Norway to see who their upcoming opponents will be, but for now they can celebrate a well-earned result. 

The whistle blows and Cote d'Ivoire will enter the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time! Nicolas Pepe was the star of the show as his two goals sealed the deal for The Elephants, and they knock out Curacao, whose admirable journey will end here.

The offside flag is raised for Floranus as he whacks a desperate attempt at the net.

Nice throughball from Inao Oulai to Toure, who finds Wahi under pressure. His shot is blocked and goes over the net. The Elephants are taking their time now, content to see this play out for the final seconds.

Noslin with another wonderful attempt, forces Fofana to push the ball over the bar and wins Curacao the corner. Nothing comes out of that however, but Curacao are fully on the offensive now.

Noslin wins a free kick for Curacao just inside the Cote d'Ivoire half. He doesn't find anyone, but the ball gets scooped up by J Bacuna just inside the line and he delivers a decent attempt at Fofana.

Big play from Obispo as he kicks out a cross headed to Wahi, and that one very much looked like it could be a third goal.

Free kick in a great position for Curacao, but Leandro Bacuna's header goes over the crossbar. Cote d'Ivoire then make it into Curacao's half, but can't manage to get an attempt off.

Curacao attempt to counter, but hold onto the ball too long and are dispossessed.

Bad news for Scotland now as Ecuador have scored thanks to Gonzalo Plata. They shoot up to the top of the third place table.

Chong fires off an attempt but Fofana has it well in hand. Juninho Bacuna gets booked for taking Inao Oulai, collects a second yellow and he will miss the next match.

THen we get changes from both sides, Tyrese Noslin and Jean Michael Seri on for Kessie and Fonville for the Elephants, Curacao bring on Gervane Kastaneer for Gaari.

Curacao mount the first attack after the hydration break, but Brenet is offside.

We break for water, and Curacao will have scant minutes to find a way to pick up the pieces. Can they make a miracle, or will the Elephants secure their first round of 32 appearance at the World Cup?

Nicolas Pepe won't get a chance at the hatttrick as he, Yan Diomande, and Ange-Yoan Bonny are swapped off for Bazoumana Toure, Oumar Diakite, and Elye Wahi.

It's Nicolas Pepe again who comes to snuff out Curacao's quiet hope of a comeback. Sangare plays him through to the right side of the box, and the Villareal man delivers a wonderful left footed goal past Room. Surely this is it.

Jeremy Antonisse comes on for Livano Comenencia. He nearly becomes the star of the show immediately as a ball is played in behind, but he fails to get there before Fofana.

Yan Diomande is in th box with a chance, but the defenders close in too quickly for him to attempt a strike. Curacao try to counter but can't move the ball foward quickly enough to capitalise. Hopefully this means a bit more excitement in this half as both teams seem determined to make something happen.

Floranus finds himself space at the edge of the box and sends an attempt to the top corner, but it goes over the crossbar. Not a bad go and they look invigorated now as they follow that up with another attack.

Doue gets the ball down the right, crosses it but Brenet holds off Y Diomande and it goes out.

Cote d'Ivoire have the majority of posession but Curacao are defending well.

Cote d'Ivoire have made a change, Diallo has been pulled in favour of Christ Inao Oulai. Curious choice as he has been a rather key part of their play today. Hopefully we see a bit more of a spark in this half of the match, Curacao desperately need two goals.

It was blistering starts in both Group E matches with a goal each for all but Curacao coming in less than ten minutes. However, that energy fizzled out for the next half hour and no more action came out of Philadelphia and New Jersey. As it stands, Cote d'Ivoire will join Germany in automatic qualification.

L Bacuna gets on the ball, finds Chong in empty space on the right. Chong can't find any help and chooses to cross it in, it goes to J Bacuna right on the byline who wins a corner under pressure. It comes out for a second corner, but Curacao gets nothing good out of that one either.

They go into halftime with the Elephants ahead!

Operi tries to cross but it's blocked for a corner. Diomande takes the set piece, defended by Locadia who tries to set Chong free. It's a touch too far, Chong chases after it it but he's caught by the rest of the Elephants.

Curacao then find themselves with the next big chance, Bacuna comes quick down the left with Sangare and Diallo on his heels, and his shot finds the outside of the net. This is the spark that Curacao need, but with halftime looming they might not have another chance before the whistle blows.

Four minutes of added time.

Floranus fouls to give away a free kick in their half, but the Curacao defence clear it well. A roar from the crowd as a ball comes over to Diallo in the box, but he doesn't manage to get a shot off.

Both teams have had possession but they have yet to deliver anything exciting. And as I say that Chong whips an attempt from 25 yards that sails harmlessly over the net.