Knockout phase, brace yourself - Elephants are coming!

The Elephants' time has come!

They failed in 2006, 2010, and 2014, but now, there was no mistake. The victory over Ecuador paved the way to the knockout phase, the performance against Germany boosted their confidence, and the routine 2-0 win over Curacao sealed the Ivory Coast's place in the last 32 teams at the 2026 World Cup.

When Nicolas Pepe broke the deadlock seven minutes into the game, the Blue Waves probably experienced nightmarish flashbacks about their clash against Germany and a crushing 7-1 defeat. However, luckily for them, Emerse Fae's men apparently weren't interested in running up the score.

On the other hand, the Ivorians had reason to feel fortunate, as they were up against opponents well below their level. Otherwise, they might have found themselves in trouble.

Following Pepe's opener, both the Elephants and Curacao rarely threatened each other. Dick Advocaat's team even led the shot count 5-4 at the break, despite being dominated in possession.

Dick's different World Cup: Advocaat's camp is definitely the happiest one

The second half was just as uneventful, though it was only a matter of time before one of Ivory Coast's sporadic attacks produced another goal.

That happened in the 64th minute when Ibrahim Sangare sent a defence-splitting pass, and Pepe made no mistake, completing a brace and putting the game beyond doubt.

In the Round of 32, on June 30 in Arlington, Texas, the Ivory Coast will face the second-placed team from Group I, either Norway or France, who will decide the group winner in their head-to-head clash tomorrow (22.00).

The Elephants have already written history at this World Cup. So, why wouldn't they keep dreaming?

WORLD CUP - GROUP STAGE (ROUND 3)

Group E

Thursday

Curacao - Ivory Coast 0-2 (0-1)

/Pepe 7, 64/

Ecuador - Germany 2-1 (1-1)

/Angulo 9, Plata 77 - Sane 2/