Pépé Brace Seals Ivory Coast's Round of 32 Berth in Curaçao Rout

Nicolas Pépé Delivers as Ivory Coast March On

Nicolas Pépé wrote his name across Group E's final matchday, scoring twice to send Ivory Coast into the Round of 32 with six points and genuine momentum building at World Cup 2026. While Germany topped the group, the Elephants secured second place in emphatic fashion, leaving Curaçao with nothing but a consolation point to show for their tournament debut.

Key Moment

Pépé set the tone inside seven minutes, punishing a flat Curaçao backline with a clinical finish that immediately flipped the script on any nerves Ivory Coast might have carried in. The opener gave the Elephants control they never relinquished. With the game still technically in the balance, Pépé returned in the 64th minute to bury the tie for good — a composed, authoritative finish that underlined exactly why Ivory Coast arrived in North America as serious contenders. The brace was a statement performance from a player who could prove pivotal in the knockout rounds.

Context

Curaçao had already been battered 7-1 by Germany across their group campaign, and their slim hope of sneaking into the top eight third-placed qualifiers effectively required a result here. Instead, they finished with a goal difference of -8 after conceding nine times across three games — a brutal group-stage exit, though the point earned against Ecuador showed flickers of fight. For Ivory Coast, the defeat to Germany was the one blemish on an otherwise commanding group stage. Five of their last five results before this match showed a side capable of beating quality opposition, and they backed that form up when it mattered.

Betting Implications

Ivory Coast advance as Group E runners-up with six points, a +2 goal difference, and Pépé locked in as their attacking focal point. Bettors eyeing their Round of 32 futures should note the Elephants conceded only twice in three games and have now kept clean sheets in two of those outings. Germany top the group at 10 goals scored — a potential quarterfinal collision between these two sides could be one of the tournament's most compelling matchups if both advance.

Watch for Ivory Coast's Round of 32 odds to shorten after this performance — Pépé's form alone makes them worth backing at price.

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