Pepe's brace sends Ivory Coast into World Cup last 32 and ends Curacao's debut dream

Nicolas Pepe scored twice as Ivory Coast reached the World Cup knockout stages for the first time, beating debutants Curacao 2-0 in Philadelphia to advance from Group E as runners-up.

The former Arsenal forward, now at Villarreal, gave his country a seventh-minute lead when he slotted home from close range after Yan Diomande cut the ball back from the left, capitalising on a defensive error. Pepe then doubled his tally in the 64th minute, firing into the left side of the net after being played in by Nottingham Forest midfielder Ibrahim Sangare.

Ivory Coast, three-time African champions, had kicked off knowing a draw would be sufficient to progress following a 1-0 win over Ecuador and a 2-1 defeat to Germany. Emerse Fae’s side will now face either France or Norway in the last 32.

Curacao arrived at the game still harbouring hopes of a historic second-round berth after earning a landmark first World Cup point by holding Ecuador to a goalless draw on Saturday. Dick Advocaat’s side, however, rarely threatened to add to the solitary goal they had managed in their opening 7-1 loss to Germany, and Pepe’s second strike effectively ended the contest and their tournament.

The result marks a significant milestone for Ivory Coast, who have now navigated the group stage at a World Cup for the first time, with the prospect of a heavyweight last-32 tie against France adding further weight to the achievement.