Pepe double fires Ivory Coast into knockout rounds
Nicolas Pepe scored twice as Ivory Coast reached the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time in its history with a 2-0 win over Curacao.
Emerse Fae's side needed just a point to clinch a top-two finish in Group E, but it managed to claim all three, sending World Cup debutant Curacao packing without a win to its name.
Ivory Coast will now face either France or Norway in the round of 32.
Pepe needed just seven minutes to break the deadlock as he punished a mistake in the Curacao defence. Jurien Gaari's pass back to Joshua Brenet bounced kindly into the path of Yan Diomande, who crossed for the Villarreal forward to sweep home.
But Curacao responded well to going behind and were able to stifle Ivory Coast's attack, with Diomande's teasing cross just evading Amad Diallo inside the penalty area before Leandro Bacuna dragged his shot wide at the end of the first half.
Franck Kessie saw his effort deflect off Livano Comenencia and just wide of the target, with Sherel Floranus then firing just over at the other end in a frantic opening to the second half.
However, Ivory Coast got the all-important second goal in the 64th minute through Pepe, who collected Ibrahim Sangare's inch-perfect pass into the box and curled a sumptuous finish beyond Eloy Room, who could not repeat the heroics he displayed against Ecuador last time out.
Curacao threatened to halve the deficit, but Tahith Chong saw his attempt comfortably gathered by Yahia Fofana.
Ivory Coast almost added a third late on. However, Armando Obispo's outstretched leg turned Bazoumana Toure's cross behind.
