Ivory Coast created history by reaching the FIFA World Cup knockout stage for the first time after defeating Curacao 2-0 in their final Group E match on Thursday. Nicolas Pepe scored both goals to guide Les Elephants into the Round of 32 after years of disappointment at the tournament.

After failing to progress beyond the group stage in 2006, 2010 and 2014, Ivory Coast finally secured a place in the knockout rounds. They finished second in Group E with six points behind Germany and will now face the runners-up from Group I in Arlington, Texas.

Pepe Gives Ivory Coast the Perfect Start

Ivory Coast made an excellent start as Curacao tried to build from the back. In the seventh minute, 19-year-old Yan Diomande capitalised on a defensive mistake and raced to the byline before cutting the ball back for Nicolas Pepe. The experienced winger fired a first-time shot past goalkeeper Eloy Room from close range to give Ivory Coast an early lead.

The goal settled Ivory Coast and allowed them to control the tempo of the match.

Curacao Fight Back Despite Early Setback

Curacao refused to give up after conceding early. The Caribbean side, coached by Dick Advocaat, continued to attack with confidence despite suffering a heavy 7-1 defeat to Germany earlier in the tournament.

Leandro Bacuna came close to equalising before halftime after beating several defenders, but his shot rolled just wide of Yahia Fofana's near post. Soon after the break, Sherel Floranus also threatened the Ivory Coast defence with a powerful effort that sailed just over the crossbar.

Pepe Completes His Brace

Nicolas Pepe delivered one of his best performances for the national team when it mattered most. The winger had failed to score during World Cup qualifying and was left out of Ivory Coast's recent Africa Cup of Nations squad. However, he responded with a match-winning display on the biggest stage.

His second goal arrived in the 64th minute. Ibrahim Sangare produced a perfectly weighted through ball, and Pepe timed his run brilliantly before curling a composed finish beyond Eloy Room into the far corner.

The brace also made Pepe only the fifth Ivorian player to score more than once at a men's FIFA World Cup, joining Didier Drogba, Gervinho, Aruna Dindane and Wilfried Bony.

Ivory Coast Create History

Ivory Coast suffered a setback when Amad Diallo, who scored their first goal of the tournament, did not return for the second half. Despite that concern, Emerse Fae's team remained in complete control and comfortably protected their two-goal advantage until the final whistle.

The victory erased years of World Cup frustration and secured Ivory Coast's first-ever appearance in the knockout stage.

Curacao Leave With Pride

Although Curacao were eliminated, they ended their first-ever FIFA World Cup campaign with plenty of positives. The smallest nation to qualify for the tournament recovered well after their heavy defeat to Germany, earned a valuable draw against Ecuador and stayed in contention until the final group match.

Made up largely of players from smaller European leagues, Curacao exceeded expectations throughout the tournament. They matched Ivory Coast for long periods and continued fighting until the final whistle, even though they could not find the finishing touch. Ivory Coast now head into the Round of 32 full of confidence, with Nicolas Pepe rediscovering his goalscoring form at exactly the right time.