Nicolas Pepe struck twice as Ivory Coast defeated Curacao 2-0 in Philadelphia on 26 June, becoming the first Ivorian side to advance to the FIFA World Cup knockout stage — ending a run of group-stage exits in 2006, 2010, and 2014. Head coach Emerse Fae called the achievement a historic moment for Ivorian football while acknowledging the team still has room to grow.

Historic Milestone for the Elephants

The result ended decades of World Cup frustration for Cote d'Ivoire, who had previously bowed out at the group stage in three consecutive tournaments. For Curacao, the defeat closed out a disappointing FIFA World Cup debut. The win was built on clinical finishing — a sharp contrast to the Elephants' earlier group match against Germany, where they squandered multiple chances in a defeat.

Pepe's Brace and the Lessons from Germany

Pepe, 31, was the standout performer, but was quick to deflect individual credit. 'I scored, but my teammates created those chances for me. This is a collective success,' he said. The forward, who missed last year's Africa Cup of Nations triumph, reflected on how the squad had adjusted after the Germany setback. 'We created a lot of opportunities against Germany but didn't score. We worked on that, and today we were more clinical,' he added.

What the Coach Said

Fae struck a measured tone in his post-match assessment. 'Not everything was perfect, but we won 2-0 without conceding. That's important for our confidence heading into the knockout stage,' he said. He also highlighted the squad's unity as a key driver. 'This is a young team, and for almost all of these players it is their first World Cup. They are talented, but above all they are united. Even players competing for the same position enjoy being together. That healthy competition helps everyone improve,' Fae noted.

The coach also praised Pepe's return to the national fold. 'We always kept in touch with Nicolas. We always believed he could help us, and today we're seeing the Nicolas Pepe we always wanted,' Fae said.

Round of 32: France or Norway Await

Ivory Coast will face either France or Norway in the round of 32. Neither Fae nor Pepe showed interest in picking a preferred opponent. 'If you want to go all the way, you have to be ready to face anyone,' Pepe said. Fae echoed that resolve: 'There is no point calculating which opponent would be easier. The important thing is to prepare well, believe in ourselves and try to win whoever we play.'

With a clean sheet secured and momentum building, Ivory Coast's historic run at the 2026 FIFA World Cup is only just beginning.