Ivory Coast forward Nicolas Pepe described his latest World Cup moment as a “source of pride and joy” after his match-winning performance helped the Elephants secure qualification for the knockout stage with a 2-0 victory over Curacao.
Pepe delivered the decisive display in a crucial group match, scoring both goals to guide Ivory Coast into the next phase of the tournament.
The experienced attacker showed his quality in front of goal, but he was quick to highlight the contribution of his teammates rather than focusing only on his personal achievement.
The result confirmed Ivory Coast’s progress and sparked celebrations among supporters who have followed the national team’s journey.
For Pepe, reaching the knockout rounds represents a special achievement for both the players and the people back home.
“It’s a source of pride and joy. We’ve qualified for the knockout stage, so for the people of Cote d’Ivoire, this is a source of pride,” Pepe said.
“My two goals? It’s all thanks to the team. On the first one, Yan [Diomande] did a great job setting me up with the ball. The second was a magnificent pass from Ibra’ [Ibrahim Sangare], and all I had to do was get my foot on it. It’s an individual honor, but also a team one.
“It’s one game at a time. We’re going to try to go as far as possible, we have the players and the quality to do it. We’ll need to stay focused, rest up, and see who we’ll be playing against.”
The victory highlighted Ivory Coast’s balance between individual brilliance and collective effort.
Pepe’s finishing ability was the difference, but the creativity and support around him played a key role in breaking down Curacao’s defence.
The forward also stressed the importance of maintaining focus as the competition moves into the knockout stage.
With every match carrying greater pressure, Pepe believes the team must remain disciplined, recover properly and approach each challenge separately.
Ivory Coast now move forward with confidence, knowing they have the talent and determination to compete against the best teams in the tournament.
Pepe’s message reflects the mindset inside the camp — celebrate the achievement, but keep pushing for more.
The Elephants have already created a memorable World Cup chapter, but according to Pepe, their journey is far from finished.
Toosin is a dedicated sports writer with a strong background in crafting engaging and insightful content. With experience at Goal, he has developed a sharp editorial sense and a refined storytelling approach that brings depth and perspective to sports journalism. His passion for the game goes beyond the headlines, as he captures both the excitement of the sport and the compelling human narratives behind each event. Toosin’s work resonates with a broad and diverse audience, making global sports stories accessible, relatable, and impactful.
