Updated: 2026-07-01 | Results and data follow FIFA’s official announcements; please reconfirm live information.
Côte d’Ivoire beat World Cup debutants Curaçao 2-0 in their Group E clash at Philadelphia Stadium, with both goals coming from former Arsenal forward Nicolas Pépé. The opener arrived after just seven minutes, when a Curaçao defensive error let Yan Diomande seize the ball and cut it back for Pépé to sweep home from close range, the Elephants’ fastest goal of the tournament. Curaçao were not without a response in the first half, as Tahith Chong and captain Leandro Bacuna both threatened, but they could not find a way through. In the 64th minute Pépé doubled the lead, collecting an inch-perfect through ball from Ibrahim Sangaré and curling a left-footed finish beyond goalkeeper Eloy Room to seal the win.
The victory carried real weight: Côte d’Ivoire finished as Group E runners-up to reach the World Cup knockout stage for the first time in their history, also recording multiple wins in a single edition for the first time, while Curaçao ended bottom of the group and were eliminated on their tournament debut. The Ivorian run ended in the round of 32, however: in their June 30 tie against Norway at Dallas Stadium, Antonio Nusa put Norway ahead, Amad Diallo levelled in the 74th minute, but Erling Haaland’s 86th-minute winner sent Côte d’Ivoire out 2-1. For more schedules and information, see the World Cup Canada hub and the where to watch in Canada, with all changes following FIFA’s official announcements.
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