Nicolas Pepe Leads Côte d'Ivoire to World Cup Knockout Stage

Nicolas Pepe scored a brace to secure a 2-0 victory for the Côte d'Ivoire National Team against Curacao, ensuring their progression to the knockout stage of the World Cup. Pepe opened the scoring within seven minutes, marking the fastest goal in Côte d'Ivoire's World Cup history.

His second goal came from a well-executed corner, solidifying the team's win. Coach Emers Fae praised Pepe's performance, describing him as an absolute quality player whose experience was crucial for the team's success.

The victory allowed Côte d'Ivoire to finish second in their group, earning them a spot in the round of 32. The team will now prepare for their next challenge, facing either France or Norway in the knockout stage.