Ivory Coast vs Curaçao: Result, Stats & Predictions (World Cup 2026)

The Result

Ivory Coast defeated Curaçao 2-0 in their final Group E match, with Nicolas Pépé scoring both goals. Pépé opened the scoring in the sixth minute — the fastest goal Ivory Coast have ever scored at a World Cup — and added a second in the 64th minute, assisted by Ibrahim Sangaré. Curaçao, already eliminated before the match, offered limited resistance throughout. The Ivorians advance to the knockout stage.

What It Means for Last Man Standing Pools

Ivory Coast as a Last Man Standing pick delivered here, and for once there wasn't much drama attached to it. When one team has already been eliminated and the other needs the points, the incentive gap is obvious. Curaçao played their World Cup final; Ivory Coast were playing for survival. That dynamic tends to produce results, and it did. Anyone who was still holding an Ivory Coast token and used it here got their reward — a clean, professional 2-0.

Pre-Match Predictions

Pre-match expectations heavily favoured Ivory Coast. Curaçao arrived having conceded seven goals to Germany alone in their opening fixture, and with their elimination confirmed before this match was played. Market forecasts reflected the mismatch, with Ivory Coast priced as strong favourites across all major aggregators. The expected goals data bears this out: Ivory Coast generated an xG of 1.3 from just seven attempts, while Curaçao managed an xG of 0.47 from eleven — creating chances without the quality to convert them. The result landed almost exactly where the pre-match picture said it would.

Standout Stats

Pépé's sixth-minute opener was the fastest goal Ivory Coast have ever scored at a FIFA World Cup, per tournament records — a notable marker for a side that has historically struggled to impose themselves early. His second goal took his personal tally to two for the tournament and rewarded a performance built on sharp movement and intelligent off-ball running. Curaçao, in their first ever World Cup, registered 11 shots across the match but placed only two on target, a figure that reflects the gap in quality between a side making its debut on this stage and an established African football nation. Ivory Coast's 2-0 win means they have now won multiple matches in a single World Cup edition for the first time — a milestone for the Elephants, who were W2 L1 across Group E and earned their knockout spot on merit.

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