Nicolas Pepe scored a dynamic double as Côte d’Ivoire secured their place in the knockout stages for the first time with a comfortable victory over Curaçao, whose FIFA World Cup debut ended on a disappointing note.
The Elephants made four changes from the team that lost 2-1 to Germany and it was one of those changes — Villarreal attacker Pepe — who made the difference.
His first came early in the match when livewire winger Yan Diomande collected a loose ball on the edge of the Curaçao box and sent a low cut back into the penalty area. An onrushing Pepe easily tapped home from close range, giving Côte d’Ivoire the lead and their fastest World Cup goal in the process.
The advantage helped the Africans establish control of the match, despite playing at a noticeably slower pace than in previous games. What few chances Curaçao had were created by Tahith Chong and captain Leandro Bacuna. Chong fired a powerful shot just over the goal late in the first half. Shortly after, Bacuna beat two defenders on the edge of the box but sent his shot wide of the near post.
Pepe doubled the Elephants lead in the second half, slotting home with his left foot after a simple give-and-go with Nottingham Forest midfielder Ibrahim Sangare left him alone in the box against Eloy Room.
Curaçao’s maiden World Cup voyage ended in Philadelphia, but will live long in the memory of the Blue Wave faithful. With the victory, Côte d’Ivoire qualify as Group E runners-up and will face the runners-up from Group I in Dallas on 30 June.
(FIFA)
