Former Arsenal forward Nicolas Pepe scored twice as Ivory Coast secured second-place in Group E with a comfortable 2-0 win over Curacao.
2026 World Cup
0-2
Match Report
The result sent Emerse Fae's side into the World Cup knockout stages for the first time in history and ensured the debutants finished bottom of the pile.
Les Elephants only needed a point to finish as runners-up, but they took control early on and went in front inside seven minutes when Liverpool target Yan Diomande took advantage of Curacao failing to clear their lines to square for Pepe, who slotted smartly into the bottom right corner.
It should have been 2-0 before the 20-minute mark but under pressure, Amad Diallo scuffed another Diomande cross wide.
Curacao did not lose spirit, with Jurien Gaari, Tahith Chong and Leandro Bacuna all managing shots, but a combined xG of just 0.13 illustrated the lack of definitive threat they carried.
While they trailed by just one goal, Dick Advocaat's side possessed the more urgency of the two teams after the break - until their hopes suffered a hammer blow just after the hour, when Ibrahim Sangare set Pepe free in the box with a glorious ball.
He opened his body and coolly fired a second past Eloy Room that secured Ivory Coast's historic progression and broke Curacao hearts.
Line-ups
Curacao XI: Eloy Room, Leandro Bacuna, Jürgen Locadia, Joshua Brenet, Juriën Gaari, Sherel Floranus, Juninho Bacuna, Armando Obispo, Chong, Livano Comenencia, Deveron Fonville
Subs: Bazoer, Brandley Kuwas, Gervane Kastaneer, Kenji Gorré, Trevor Doornbusch, Kevin Felida, Roshon van Eijma, Godfried Roemeratoe, Jeremy Antonisse, Sontje Hansen, Shurandy Sambo, Tyrick Bodak, Ar'jany Martha, Jearl Margaritha, Tyrese Noslin
Côte d'Ivoire XI: Pepe, Kessie, Christopher Operi, Sangare, Yahia Fofana, Odilon, Guéla Doué, Amad Diallo Traore, Ange-Yoan Bonny, Ousmane Diomande, Yan Diomande
Subs: Seri, S.Fofana, Alban Lafont, Ghislain Konan, N'Dicka, Evann Guessand, Elye Wahi, Singo, Emmanuel Agbadou, Parfait Guiagon, Simon Adingra, Mohamed Koné, Oumar Diakité, Bazoumana Touré, Christ Inao Oulaï