Ivory Coast have qualified for the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup for the first time in the nation’s history, following a victory over Curaçao in a group stage match played in Philadelphia. The result simultaneously ends Curaçao’s participation in the tournament.

According to GoogleNewsEN, Ivory Coast secured the win in Philadelphia, a result that proved sufficient to advance beyond the group stage — a milestone the West African nation had not previously achieved at the World Cup.

For Curaçao, the defeat confirms elimination from the tournament, as the team was unable to accumulate the points necessary to progress. According to GoogleNewsEN, Curaçao fielded an unchanged lineup for the fixture, while Ivory Coast made several adjustments to their starting eleven ahead of the match.

The advancement of Ivory Coast into the knockout rounds represents a historic achievement for the country within the context of the global tournament. Curaçao’s participation in the World Cup is itself considered a notable accomplishment for the island nation, given its standing within international football.

The relevant parties could not be reached for comment.