Nicolas Pepe Celebrates Historic Brace as Ivory Coast Advances in FIFA World Cup

Nicolas Pepe's outstanding performance in the FIFA World Cup has propelled Ivory Coast into the Round of 32. After scoring two crucial goals against Curacao, Pepe expressed his determination and gratitude towards his teammates. Coach Emerse Fae praised Pepe as a world-class player, emphasizing his importance to the team's success. As Ivory Coast prepares for their next match in Arlington, fans are eager to see how this talented squad will perform on the world stage.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 26, 2026, 18:12 IST

Pepe's Remarkable Achievement

Following his team's groundbreaking advancement to the Round of 32 in the FIFA World Cup, Ivory Coast's star forward Nicolas Pepe expressed that his brace was a "reward for his hard work," confidently stating, "I have what it takes."

Key Contributions in the Match

In a decisive 2-0 victory against Curacao on Thursday, Pepe scored both goals, marking him as the second Ivorian player to achieve a brace on such a prestigious platform, following Aruna Dindane's feat in the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

'A Reward for All My Hard Work'

"I know I have got what it takes. This is the reward for all my hard work, and I hope it will continue in the upcoming matches too," Pepe remarked post-match, as reported by FIFA.

He also acknowledged the vital roles played by his teammates, particularly Yan Diomande and Ibra Sangare. "My brace was down to the team as well. For the first goal, I just had to tap the ball in after some brilliant work from Yan [Diomande]; for the second, Ibra [Sangare] played a superb ball, and all I had to do was stay focused and score. I would like to dedicate this trophy to the lads," he added.

Coach's Praise for Pepe

Coach Emerse Fae praised Pepe, labeling him a "world-class player."

"He is one of the players who needs to help us win matches in these competitions. He has the ability and the experience to do so. Today, he scored two brilliant goals. It is good for the team, and it is good for him too," he stated.

Upcoming Matches for Ivory Coast

Ivory Coast is set to compete in their first Round of 32 match in Arlington on June 30.