Ivory Coast ease past Curacao to reach the Round of 32

Ivory Coast secured their knockout place with a measured 2-0 victory over Curacao at Lincoln Financial Field, Franck Kessie and Nicolas Pepe on target as the Elephants claimed second in Group E. Against a Curacao side that had defended stubbornly throughout the tournament, Ivory Coast were patient and ruthless when the openings finally came, sealing a result that always looked the most likely outcome of a cagey contest and confirming a place in the last 32 that their group campaign merited.

How it unfolded: Kessie and a Pepe brace

Kessie opened the scoring by reacting first to a loose ball in the area, settling early nerves. Pepe then took over, finishing a chance created by Ibrahim Sangare before adding his second to seal the brace and the win. At 30, Pepe became the second-oldest scorer of a World Cup brace for an African nation after Roger Milla, while teenage talent Diomande, 19, supplied an assist that made him the youngest African to do so at a World Cup since 1994 — youth and experience combining on one scoresheet.

Curacao bow out with pride intact

The smallest nation ever to grace a World Cup leave the stage, but Curacao depart having earned global respect. Goalkeeper Eloy Room's 15-save, record-equalling effort in the goalless draw with Ecuador stands as one of the tournament's defining individual performances and the highlight of a brave campaign. Here they again defended deep and frustrated their opponents for long periods, only for the class of Kessie and Pepe to make the difference in the second half.

The table: Ivory Coast advance behind Germany

Victory moved Ivory Coast to six points and second in Group E (GD plus two), behind group winners Germany and ahead of third-placed Ecuador on four points; Curacao finish bottom and exit. The Elephants now look ahead to the knockout rounds with genuine momentum and a settled, balanced side that mixes the experience of Kessie and Pepe with the fearlessness of teenagers like Diomande. After a group campaign built on patience and clinical finishing, Ivory Coast will fancy their chances against anyone in the last 32. Our forecast of Under 2.5 goals landed in a tidy 2-0 win, as a controlled Ivory Coast performance kept the scoreline exactly where the pre-match numbers had pointed.