World Cup Group Stage - 3
Curaçao 0 - 2 FT Ivory Coast
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
Nicolas Pépé (Yan Diomande) 7'
Nicolas Pépé 35'
↓ Amad Diallo ↑Christ Inao Oulaï 45'
HT
61' ↓ Livano Comenencia ↑Jeremy Antonisse
Nicolas Pépé (Ibrahim Sangaré) 64'
↓ Ange-Yoan Bonny ↑Oumar Diakité 67'
↓ Nicolas Pépé ↑Sepe Elye Wahi 67'
↓ Yan Diomande ↑Bazoumana Touré 67'
75' Juninho Bacuna
77' ↓ Jurien Gaari ↑Gervane Kastaneer
77' ↓ Deveron Fonville ↑Tyrese Noslin
↓ Franck Kessié ↑Jean Michaël Seri 77'
90' ↓ Joshua Brenet ↑Shurandy Sambo
90' ↓ Jürgen Locadia ↑Brandley Kuwas
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Curaçao
Goalkeepers
E. Room 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
J. Brenet 
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
3
Tackles
71%
Duel Win %
J. Gaari 
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
A. Obispo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
S. Floranus
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
4
Tackles
75%
Duel Win %
Deveron Fonville
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
3
Tackles
89%
Duel Win %
Midfielders
L. Bacuna
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
L. Comenencia 
SWEEPER
5
Cleanups
5
Cleanups
5
Interceptions
0
Blocks
Forwards
T. Chong
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
J. Locadia 
NPC
90
Minutes
90
Minutes
15%
Pass Acc
6.0
Rating
J. Bacuna
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
BENCH
T. Doornbusch 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
T. Bodak
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
R. Bazoer
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
R. van Eijma
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
S. Sambo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
A. Martha
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
T. Noslin
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
13
Total Mins
Started
Entry
B. Kuwas
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
G. Roemeratoe
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
K. Felida
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
G. Kastaneer
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
13
Total Mins
Started
Entry
K. Gorré
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
J. Antonisse
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
29
Total Mins
Started
Entry
S. Hansen
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
J. Margaritha
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ivory Coast
Goalkeepers
Y. Fofana
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
G. Doué
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
O. Kossounou
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
O. Diomande
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
C. Operi
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
3
Tackles
45%
Duel Win %
Midfielders
I. Sangaré 
MAGNET
111
Activity
111
Activity
98
Passes
13
Duels
F. Kessié
LATE SHIFT
13
Late Mins
13
Late Mins
77
Total Mins
77
Entry
Forwards
A. Diallo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
46
Total Mins
45
Entry
Y. Diomande
MAGNET
47
Activity
47
Activity
36
Passes
11
Duels
N. Pépé 
HITMAN
2
Goals
2
Goals
2
On Target
8.7
Rating
A. Bonny
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
67
Total Mins
67
Entry
BENCH
M. Koné
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
A. Lafont
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
E. Agbadou
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
E. Ndicka
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
G. Konan
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
W. Singo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
C. Inao Oulaï
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
44
Total Mins
Started
Entry
B. Touré 
DRIBBLER
3
Dribbles
3
Dribbles
3
Attempts
100%
Success %
J. Seri
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
13
Total Mins
Started
Entry
S. Fofana
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
O. Diakité
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
23
Total Mins
Started
Entry
S. Adingra
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
E. Wahi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
23
Total Mins
Started
Entry
P. Guiagon
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
E. Guessand
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Pépé's Brace Secures Ivory Coast's Progression
Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 34/100. Ivory Coast's ruthless attacking efficiency completely dismantled their opponents, turning a high-pressure group finale into a comfortable procession to the knockout stages.
The Early Opener
The Stakes were towering as Curaçao and Ivory Coast stepped onto the pitch at Lincoln Financial Field for this decisive World Cup group stage clash. The Elephants wasted absolutely no time asserting their authority. In just the seventh minute, Nicolas Pépé drew first blood, latching onto a precise pass from Yan Diomande to set a relentless tone. From there, the West African powerhouse completely dominated possession, dictating the tempo with a commanding 63% share of the ball. The Caribbean side found themselves pinned back early, scrambling to disrupt the passing lanes as their opponents calmly circulated the ball and searched for further openings. The crowd barely had time to settle into their seats before the tactical blueprint became undeniable, forcing the trailing team to abandon their initial defensive posture far sooner than planned.
Shifting The Balance
Despite falling behind, the home side refused to surrender quietly. They generated set-piece pressure with numerous corners and a total of 11 shots, attempting to drag themselves back into contention. The Balance of the match teetered as they fired several attempts toward the target, yet their lack of a clinical edge kept them off the scoreboard. Just as belief began to creep into their play, the ultimate turning point arrived. In the 64th minute, Ibrahim Sangaré carved open the defense with a brilliant assist, finding Pépé once again. The winger made no mistake, doubling his tally and effectively killing the contest. This second strike punished the trailing side for their wastefulness and showcased exactly why the Elephants are considered dangerous tournament contenders.
The Final Whistle
Down by two goals, whatever Intensity the trailing side had mustered quickly evaporated into the humid evening air. The Elephants expertly managed the remaining minutes, stifling any potential late surges and successfully navigating a flurry of late fouls to protect their clean sheet. The aftermath is stark: with this 2-0 defeat, the island nation finishes bottom of the group with just a single point and a brutal -8 goal difference, spelling the end of their World Cup journey. Conversely, this victory vaults the victors to six points, solidifying their second-place position and sending them confidently into the knockout rounds. The final whistle confirmed what the tactical execution had suggested all along—clinical finishing remains the ultimate differentiator.
Key Questions
What made N. Pépé the Man of the Match?
Nicolas Pépé secured the win by scoring both goals, including an early 7th-minute strike that completely dictated the tempo and shattered the opposition's game plan.
What does this mean for Curaçao's season?
With just one point from three matches and a -8 goal difference, Curaçao finishes at the bottom and unfortunately exits the World Cup.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
Curaçao Face Massive Uphill Battle Against Ivory Coast
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 38/100. While survival in the group is on the line, Curaçao's completely shattered defense makes this a likely walkover for the Elephants.
The Setup
Heading into this decisive Group Stage clash on June 25, 2026, at Lincoln Financial Field, the Stakes are undoubtedly high. Curaçao sit bottom of the group with zero points and a devastating minus-six goal difference after conceding seven times in their opener. They face an Ivory Coast side sitting comfortably in second place following a pragmatic 1-0 victory. The Balance here is completely skewed; a rock-bottom Form rating for the Caribbean side highlights their shocking defensive collapse. Despite the undeniable tournament pressure on both sides, a lack of genuine Stars outside the African squad's ranks leaves this fixture feeling entirely one-sided.
Key Battle
With Curaçao desperately needing a result to keep their tournament hopes alive, their shell-shocked backline must somehow contain the relentless Ivorian attacking unit. The Elephants will look to exploit the massive gaps left by a desperate Caribbean midfield. If the underdogs overcommit going forward in search of points, the African counter-attack will be ruthless.
Our Prediction
Expect total domination from Ivory Coast. Curaçao must push for a result, which will only leave them exposed to swift transitions orchestrated from deep by O. Diomande, while Y. Diomande and A. Diallo provide the attacking firepower. The Elephants will score early, control the tempo, and cruise to a comfortable multi-goal victory, sealing Curaçao's early tournament exit.