Curacao vs Ivory Coast LIVE: World Cup 2026 result, latest updates and fan reaction

The Ivory Coast played their way into the knockout rounds of a World Cup for the first time by beating tournament debutants Curacao 2-0 on Thursday evening. Nicolas Pepe, once a big-money signing for Arsenal, rose to the occasion, scoring both goals for his country on either side of the half-time break. He tapped hom from Yan Diomande’s cross with just seven minutes of the match played, before curling a smart finish home in the second half.

The result brings to an end to Curacao’s debut World Cup campaign, and it has not gone entirely to plan, with nine goals conceded and one scored. There were emotional scenes at the full-time whistle as players and staff commiserated with one another as the curtain fell on a fairytale journey.

Up the road in New York, Ecuador stunned Germany with a 2-1 win to confirm their own place in the next round of the competition, with that surprise result quelling any potential of a progression for Curacao. Follow the action LIVE below with Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog, complete with expert insight and analysis.

The Ivory Coast go through, the Blue Wave go home.

88mins: Curacao are into the final minutes of their World Cup campaign, but are pushing to at least end on a goal.

75mins: Just a quarter of an hour remaining, now, and Curacao look set to exit this tournament with a whimper.

67mins: Three changes after the goal for the Ivory Coast. Diomande, Bonny and Pepe are replaced by Toure, Diakite, and Wahi.

Nicolas Pepe gets his brace! He curls a tidy finish beyond the outstretched hand of Eloy Room.

55mins: Floranus lets fly from distance, but puts just a little too much power behind it and misses over the bar.

53mins: Kessie does well to work a shooting angle, but his effort is blocked by his own team-mate Yan Diomande and goes out for a goal kick.