Nicolas Pepe's double sealed Ivory Coast's first trip to the World Cup elimination rounds with a 2-0 victory over Curacao on Thursday to finish second in Group E.
Manager Emerse Fae's feat ends a wait of 20 years since he was an unused substitute for the first Ivory Coast side to reach the World Cup.
Curacao became the eighth team eliminated from the tournament, a fate that arrived later than many anticipated after the Caribbean country became the smallest nation to qualify for the World Cup finals.
Ivory Coast will face the second-place team in Group I, France or Norway, on Tuesday in Arlington, Texas.
Pepe took both goals exceptionally well for his first tallies in a competitive international fixture since October 2024.
Manager Emerse Fae said he believes the remarks that led to Pepe's temporary exclusion are firmly in the past.
