On Thursday, Ivory Coast secured its spot in the World Cup round of 16 as the second-place finisher in Group E with a 0-2 victory over first-time participant Curaçao, which saw its dream of earning its first World Cup victory—and advancing to the next round—come to an end.
The “Blue Sharks” needed a win to finish second or third in their group, but reality set in quickly for the least populous nation (with around 150,000 inhabitants) ever to participate in a World Cup.
Ivory Coast capitalized on the first mistake
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A miscommunication by the home team early in the match left Yan Diomandé unmarked on the left side of the box.
The new Ivorian star rode the ball unchallenged and laid it off for Nicolas Pépé—who started today as a striker alongside Ange-Yoan Bonny—to tap it into the net.
Curaçao was then forced to change its game plan, and Advocaat’s team—which had been very organized for the rest of the first half—began to bring fullback Joshua Brenet into the midfield.
Leaving only four defenders at the back.
Ivory Coast advances to the next round
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However, their strategy almost always involved stealing the ball and breaking away on the counter, hoping that Tahith Chong—the playmaker and most inspired player on the combative Caribbean team—would find the back of the net.
Meanwhile, Ivory Coast simply passed the ball around without too much pressure.
And let’s try to find that spark they have on the wings with Yan Diomandé and Amad Diallo (Filed under: Ivory Coast eliminates Curaçao).
The second goal dashed Curaçao’s hopes
After the break, the “Blue Sharks” tried to push their defensive line forward, realizing that their dream was slipping away.
But the African team continued to look relatively comfortable.
With 40 minutes still to go, Franck Kessié had a chance to score the second goal after finding space on the edge of the box.
But his shot was deflected for a corner kick just outside Eloy Room’s left post.
Shortly afterward, the Curacao team had their best chance of the game when striker Jurgen Locadia’s left-footed shot grazed the crossbar.
In the 64th minute, the Ivorians managed to widen the lead:
Ibrahim Sangaré found an opening to send a pass into the box to Pépé and Room, and the Villarreal player scored—once again with his stronger foot, his left (Filed under: Ivory Coast eliminates Curaçao).
The Elephants maintained their dominance until the very end
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Fatigue eventually took its toll, and “The Elephants” might even have scored a third goal if it hadn’t been for a great save by Room in a one-on-one situation.
In the end, the Ivorian team proved too strong for the valiant Caribbean team.
He left the tournament without fulfilling his big World Cup dream, though he held his head high.
For its part, Ivory Coast will face the second-place team from Group I—either France or Norway—on June 30 in Dallas (Filed under: Ivory Coast Eliminates Curaçao).
Technical Specifications
0. Curaçao: Eloy Room; Joshua Brenet (Shurandy Sambo, 94′), Jurien Gaari (Gervane Kastaneer, 77′), Armando Obispo, Sherel Floranus, Deveron Fonville (Tyrese Noslin, 77′); Tahith Chong, Livado Comenencia (Jeremy Antonisse, 61′), Leandro Bacuna, Juninho Bacuna; and Jurgen Locadia (Brandley Kuwas, 94′).
Head Coach: Dick Advocaat.
2. Ivory Coast: Yahia Fofana; Guela Doué, Odilon Kossounou, Ousmane Diomandé, Christopher Operi; Amad Diallo (Christ Inao Oulai, 45′), Franck Kessié (Jean Michael Seri, 77′), Ibrahim Sangaré, Yan Diomandé (Bazoumana Touré, 67′); Nicolas Pépé (Elye Wahi, 67′) and Ange-Yoan Bonny (Oumar Diakité, 67′).
Curator: Emerse Faé.
Goals: 0-1, 7′: Nicolas Pépé; 0-2, 64′: Nicolas Pépé.
Referee: Glenn Nyberg (Sweden). He issued yellow cards to Nicolás Pépé of Ivory Coast and Juninho Bacuna and Gervane Kastaneer of Curaçao.
Match details: Matchday 3 of Group E of the 2026 World Cup, played at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia in front of approximately 68,324 spectators (sold out).
With information from EFE
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