World Cup: Ivory Coast beat Curaçao to reach historic knockout stage

Ivory Coast booked a place in the FIFA World Cup knockout stage for the first time in their history after Nicolas Pépé scored twice in a commanding 2-0 victory over Curaçao in their final Group E match on Thursday.
The Elephants needed only a draw to progress but wrapped up qualification in style, finishing second in the group with six points behind Germany. The result also marked the first time the West Africans have won two matches at a World Cup.
Pépé gave Ivory Coast the perfect start in the seventh minute after Yan Diomande capitalised on a defensive mistake before squaring the ball for the former Arsenal winger to finish from close range.
The 31-year-old completed his brace in...