By Kunle Solaja

Nicolas Pepe struck twice as Côte d’Ivoire secured a historic place in the FIFA World Cup knockout stage for the first time with a convincing 2-0 victory over Curaçao in their final Group E match on Thursday.

The win ensured the Elephants finished second in the group, ending years of frustration after failing to progress beyond the group stage in each of their previous three World Cup appearances between 2006 and 2014.

Côte d’Ivoire will now face the runners-up from Group I — either France or Norway — in the Round of 32 on Tuesday in Arlington, Texas.

For Curaçao, the defeat ended a remarkable debut World Cup campaign. The Caribbean side, the smallest nation ever to qualify for the World Cup finals, became the tournament’s eighth team to be eliminated, although their spirited performances had kept hopes alive longer than many had expected.

Pepe, who had endured a difficult spell with the national team after failing to score in five World Cup qualifying appearances and missing out on coach Emerse Fae’s most recent Africa Cup of Nations squad, rediscovered his scoring touch when it mattered most.

The forward opened the scoring after 19-year-old Yan Diomande capitalised on a costly Curaçao error while attempting to play out from the back. The youngster raced to the byline before cutting the ball back for Pepe, who rifled a first-time low finish through goalkeeper Eloy Room from close range.

The goal marked Pepe’s first in a competitive international match since October 2024.

Despite the scorching conditions, with temperatures hovering in the mid-80s Fahrenheit, Côte d’Ivoire maintained control and doubled their advantage midway through the second half.

Midfielder Ibrahim Sangare split the Curaçao defence with a perfectly weighted through ball, allowing Pepe to race into the area before curling a composed finish from 10 metres into the far corner for his second goal of the afternoon.

Although the Ivorians deserved their victory, Curaçao created several opportunities and could have found a way back into the contest.

Just before halftime, captain Leandro Bacuna weaved past three defenders into the penalty area but dragged his shot wide of the near post. After the break, Sherel Floranus also came close, firing narrowly over the crossbar.

The match may also have marked the end of 78-year-old Dick Advocaat’s tenure with Curaçao. The veteran Dutch coach, who was leading his third different nation at a World Cup, leaves having guided the island nation to an unprecedented appearance on football’s biggest stage.

There was a concern for Côte d’Ivoire when Amad Diallo, who scored the team’s opening goal of the tournament, was substituted at halftime, although it was not immediately clear whether the change was injury-related.

With confidence growing after finally breaking their World Cup knockout barrier, the Elephants now turn their attention to a much sterner challenge as they prepare to face one of Europe’s heavyweights in the last 32.

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By KUNLE SOLAJA.

Côte d’Ivoire head coach made four changes to his starting line-up for Thursday’s crucial FIFA World Cup Group E encounter against Curaçao, while the Caribbean side retained the same XI that held Ecuador to a draw in their previous outing.

Seeking to revive their campaign after a defeat to Germany, the Elephants reshuffled both their defence and attack for the must-win fixture.

Three defenders who started against Germany were dropped, with only Odilon Kossounou retaining his place in the back line. Emmanuel Agbadou, Ghislain Konan and Wilfried Singo all made way as Ousmane Diomande, Guela Doue and Christopher Operi were introduced into the defence.

There was also a change in midfield, where Christ Inao Oulai dropped to the bench to accommodate Nicolas Pepe, who joined Ange-Yoan Bonny in a more attack-minded line-up.

Experienced midfielders Franck Kessie and Ibrahim Sangare continued to anchor the centre of the park, while Amad Diallo and Yan Diomande provided additional creativity in support of the forwards.

In contrast, Curaçao coach Dick Advocaat resisted the temptation to alter a side that secured a valuable point against Ecuador. The Dutch tactician maintained his preferred 5-4-1 formation, with Juergen Locadia continuing as the lone striker.

Captain Eloy Room started in goal behind a five-man defence comprising Joshua Brenet, Jurien Gaari, Armando Obispo, Sherel Floranus and Deveron Fonville. The midfield featured Juninho Bacuna, Livano Comenencia, Leandro Bacuna and Tahith Chong, all tasked with supporting Locadia while maintaining the team’s defensive discipline.

The match carries significant importance for both nations. Côte d’Ivoire need a positive result to keep their hopes of reaching the knockout stage alive after their setback against Germany, while Curaçao are aiming to build on their encouraging draw with Ecuador and move closer to a historic place in the Round of 32.

Starting Line-ups

Curaçao: Eloy Room; Joshua Brenet, Jurien Gaari, Armando Obispo, Sherel Floranus, Deveron Fonville; Juninho Bacuna, Livano Comenencia, Leandro Bacuna, Tahith Chong; Juergen Locadia.

Côte d’Ivoire: Yahia Fofana; Ousmane Diomande, Christopher Operi, Odilon Kossounou, Guela Doue; Franck Kessie, Ibrahim Sangare, Yan Diomande, Amad Diallo; Ange-Yoan Bonny, Nicolas Pepe.

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Mexico’s 3-0 defeat of Czechia at the FIFA World Cup 2026 produced a remarkable collection of milestones, reinforcing El Tri’s place among the tournament’s most consistent performers.

The victory made Mexico the first Concacaf nation to register 20 wins at the FIFA World Cup, further extending their lead as the region’s most successful team on football’s biggest stage.

The result also marked Mexico’s fourth consecutive World Cup victory, another unprecedented achievement for a Concacaf side. Never before has a team from the region strung together four successive wins at the global finals.

With three victories from three matches, Mexico also progressed through the group stage unbeaten for the sixth time in their World Cup history, matching previous flawless group campaigns in 1970, 1986, 1998, 2002, and 2014.

Playing on home soil has continued to bring out the best in El Tri. They are now unbeaten in their last eight World Cup matches hosted in Mexico, recording six wins and two draws. Even more impressively, they have not conceded a goal in any of their last six home fixtures at the finals.

Mexico’s defensive solidity has become one of the defining features of their campaign. The Czechia match completed only the second World Cup group stage in which Mexico failed to concede a single goal, the first having come during the iconic 1970 tournament. Stretching even further back, El Tri have now gone 14 consecutive World Cup matches without allowing a first-half goal.

The match also showcased the country’s changing generations.

At just 17 years and 253 days, Gilberto Mora became the youngest player ever to start a World Cup match for Mexico, eclipsing Manuel Rosas’ long-standing record set against France at the inaugural tournament in 1930.

Mateo Chávez also entered the history books, becoming the second-youngest Mexican to score on his World Cup debut at 22 years and 43 days. Only Enrique Borja, who scored against France in 1966 at 20 years and 195 days, achieved the feat at a younger age.

Veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa added another chapter to his remarkable World Cup career. At 40 years and 346 days, he became the oldest player ever to appear at a FIFA World Cup for a Concacaf nation.

His appearance also elevated him to sixth place on the list of the oldest players in World Cup history, behind only Egypt’s Essam El-Hadary, Colombia’s Faryd Mondragón, Cameroon’s Roger Milla, Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Northern Ireland’s Pat Jennings.

Ochoa’s 12th World Cup appearance established another regional record, making him the Concacaf goalkeeper with the most matches played at the tournament.

The legendary goalkeeper also climbed into a tie for third place on Mexico’s all-time World Cup appearance list with 12 matches, joining Javier Hernández and Héctor Moreno. Only Andrés Guardado (13 appearances) and Rafael Márquez (19) have featured more often for Mexico at the tournament.

From the emergence of teenage stars to the enduring excellence of one of football’s most celebrated goalkeepers, Mexico’s victory over Czechia was not merely another three points—it became one of the most statistically significant performances in the nation’s rich FIFA World Cup history.

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