Curacao 0-2 Ivory Coast Player Ratings: A Nicolas Pépé Brace Secures Second Place For Les Éléphant To Clinch Round of 32 Spot

Ivory Coast faced Curacao for the first time ever in history at the Philadelphia Stadium in a Group E game of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Both teams came into this match with the sole goal of winning the three points to secure qualification to the Round of 32.

It was only the second time that the Ivory Coast national football team faced a team from CONCACAF at the FIFA World Cup, and they didn't disappoint. A bit of a mix-up between Joshua Brenet and Juriën Gaarion on the right-hand side of the box led to Yan Diomande getting the ball in a dangerous area after he was dispossessed initially.

The RB Leipzig winger charged into the box before laying it on a plate for Nicolas Pépé to tap home in the 7th minute of the game. Amad Diallo had a good strike of the ball shortly after, but it went agonisingly wide.

Despite going behind, the Curacao national football team showed encouraging signs while going forward, especially their no. 7 Juninho Bacuna on the left wing. However, Côte d'Ivoire shut them down really well and kept the lead intact in the first half.

In the second half, Ivory Coast maitained their upper hand on the game, while Curacao had occasional chances here and there, but none of them were too hazardous for the Ivorian defense. Les Éléphants doubled the lead in the 64th minute, as Ibrahim Sangaré threaded a defense-breaking pass for Nicolas Pepe, and the Villarreal forward smashed it at the far post top corner to score only his second goal of the World Cup.

Ivory Coast finished at six points out of their three games, securing second spot in the group behind Germany. Meanwhile, one of the smallest teams to qualify for the World Cup, Curacao, can take pride in the fight they have put up in their first World Cup appearance, after the 7-1 drubbing against the Germans in their World Cup opener.

Here are the Curacao vs Ivory Coast Player Ratings.

Curacao National Football Team Player Ratings vs Ivory Coast

Have a look at the Curacao national football team player ratings from the Curacao vs Ivory Coast Player Ratings.

Ivory Coast National Football Team Player Ratings vs Curacao

Check out the Ivory Coast national football team player ratings from the Curacao vs Ivory Coast Player Ratings.

Man of the Match

Nicolas Pépé was the best player in Curacao vs Ivory Coast.

Worst Performer

Joshua Brenet was the worst performer from this FIFA World Cup Group E matchup.