Nicolas Pépé delivered a clinical performance, scoring twice as Ivory Coast defeated Curaçao 2-0 in their final Group E match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The victory marked a milestone for Les Éléphants, securing their first-ever progression to the knockout stages.
The former Arsenal and current Villarreal forward opened the scoring in the 7th minute, finishing a cutback from Yan Diomandé with a composed low strike.
He sealed the result in the 64th minute with a curled effort into the top corner after latching onto Ibrahim Sangaré’s pass.
The brace not only propelled Ivory Coast to second place in the group but also eliminated debutants Curaçao.
Pépé’s goals came at a crucial time, easing any tension in front of a vocal Ivorian-supporting crowd that created a home-like atmosphere.
This result adds to Ivory Coast’s strong showing in their World Cup debut campaign, highlighting their attacking threat and defensive solidity.
African Players Who Have Scored a Brace at the FIFA World Cup
Scoring two or more goals in a single World Cup match is a rare feat for any player, and even more noteworthy for Africans given the historical challenges faced by the continent’s teams.
Roger Milla (Cameroon): Scored a famous brace against Colombia in the 1990 Round of 16 (Cameroon won 2-1 after extra time).
His iconic celebration and performance helped Cameroon reach the quarter-finals, one of Africa’s greatest World Cup achievements.
He also scored in other matches across 1990 and 1994.
Ahmed Musa (Nigeria): Netting braces in both the 2014 (vs. Argentina) and 2018 (vs. Iceland) group stages.
These made him one of Nigeria’s standout performers with four World Cup goals total.
Ismaïla Sarr (Senegal): Scored a brace against Norway in the 2026 group stage (Senegal ultimately lost 2-3).
Nicolas Pépé (Ivory Coast): Brace vs. Curaçao (2-0 win) in the 2026 group stage, as detailed above. This helped Ivory Coast advance to the knockouts for the first time.
Other notable multi-goal games or high performers include contributions from players like Asamoah Gyan (Ghana’s all-time leading scorer with 6 World Cup goals across tournaments).
Pépé joins a select group of African stars who have produced memorable multi-goal outings on the biggest stage, adding his name to the rich tapestry of African footballing excellence at the World Cup.
Ivory Coast will now look forward to their Round of 16 matchup with renewed confidence.
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