Ivory Coast defeated Curaçao 2-0 in the FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage, Group E.

The match took place on 25 June 2026 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as part of the FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage, Group E. Both teams arrived looking to secure early points in a tightly contested group, and the atmosphere was electric under the evening lights of the historic American venue.

How it unfolded

The Ivory Coast opened the scoring very early. In the seventh minute, Nicolas Pépé produced a left-footed finish from very close range to the centre of the goal, after an assist from Yan Diomande. The quick strike put the visitors 1-0 up and set the tone for the remainder of the half.

Thirty-five minutes into the game, the same Nicolas Pépé was booked. The referee showed him a yellow card for a bad foul, momentarily curbing his attacking momentum but leaving him on the pitch for the rest of the match.

The second half brought the decisive blow. In the 64th minute, Nicolas Pépé again found the net, this time with a left-footed shot from the right side of the box that curled into the top left corner. The goal was set up by Ibrahim Sangaré, giving Ivory Coast a comfortable 2-0 lead.

The later stages of the match saw Curaçao receive two cautions. Juninho Bacuna was shown a yellow card in the 75th minute for a bad foul, and Gervane Kastaneer followed with a yellow card in the 83rd minute, also for a bad foul. Neither booking altered the scoreline, and the match concluded with Ivory Coast maintaining their two-goal advantage.

Standout performers

Nicolas Pépé was the clear difference-maker, scoring both of Ivory Coast’s goals and influencing play throughout the encounter. His first goal came from a close-range finish after Yan Diomande’s assist, while the second was a well-timed strike from the edge of the box following a pass from Ibrahim Sangaré. Both Yan Diomande and Ibrahim Sangaré earned assists, highlighting their creative contribution to the victory.

Match facts

  • Final score: Curaçao 0-2 Ivory Coast
  • Scorers: Nicolas Pépé (7', 64')
  • Assists: Yan Diomande (7'), Ibrahim Sangaré (64')
  • Bookings:
    • Nicolas Pépé (Ivory Coast) – yellow card, 35'
    • Juninho Bacuna (Curaçao) – yellow card, 75'
    • Gervane Kastaneer (Curaçao) – yellow card, 83'
  • Venue: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

What it means

The result leaves both Ivory Coast and Curaçao with a win and a loss respectively as they continue their World Cup 2026 group-stage campaigns in Group E. Each side will look to build on this performance in their remaining group fixtures.