Nicolas Pepe double fires Ivory Coast into last 32 with victory over Curacao

Nicolas Pepe's brace puts Ivory Coast into the knockout stages of the competition. Picture: Kevin Cox/Getty

Nicolas Pepe scored twice as Ivory Coast reached the World Cup knockout stages for the first time thanks to a 2-0 victory which eliminated tournament debutants Curacao.

Arsenal’s one-time £72m record signing gave his country a seventh-minute lead in Philadelphia, slotting in from close range following Yan Diomande’s cut back from the left.

Forward Pepe, who plays for Spanish side Villarreal, collected a pass from Ibrahim Sangare to double his tally in the 64th minute.

Ivory Coast go through as Group E runners-up and will face either France or Norway in the last 32.

Following a 1-0 victory over Ecuador and 2-1 defeat to Germany, the three-time African champions kicked off knowing a draw would be sufficient to progress.

Emerse Fae’s side made a dream start, with Diomande capitalising on a defensive error to tee up Pepe to sweep home a first-time finish from inside the six-yard box.

Curacao came into the contest still in contention to reach the second round after securing a landmark first World Cup point by holding Ecuador to a goalless draw on Saturday.

Dick Advocaat’s team rarely looked like adding to the goal they managed in their opening 7-1 defeat to Germany and were dealt a knockout blow just after the hour mark when Pepe fired into the left side of the net after being played in by Nottingham Forest midfielder Sangare.