'One of the best of my career' - Nicolas Pepe basks in Ivory Coast glory and earns coach's praise after securing World Cup knockout spot

Ivorians secure historic progression

Ivory Coast safely booked their place in the round of 32 with a commanding

Pepe hails team effort

The veteran forward expressed immense pride in his milestone performance but remained incredibly modest about his individual accolades on the night. Speaking to

"For the first goal, I just had to tap the ball in after some brilliant work from Yan; for the second, Ibra [Sangare] played a superb ball, and all I had to do was stay focused and score. I’d like to dedicate this trophy to the lads. It was one of the best nights of my career."

Manager Emerse Fae was equally delighted with the forward's decisive contribution, adding: “Nico knows it, and so do we: he’s a top-class player. He’s one of the players who need 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’s good for the team, and it’s good for him too.”

Prodigy relishes senior step

The historical significance of the victory resonated deeply within the squad, particularly for the younger contingent who have broken into the senior setup during this campaign. Midfield prodigy Christ Inao Oulai expressed his sheer delight for his veteran team-mate, highlighting the collective pride of the nation as they advance. Oulai stated: “Nico, everyone loves him! Together, we’re writing a new chapter in our country’s football story, and we’re truly proud to be joining the big boys.”

The youngsters and the rest of the squad must now turn their attention to preparing for a demanding knockout fixture against either France or Norway. Looking forward to the upcoming challenge against European opposition, he added: “Personally, I’m excited because they’re both great footballing nations.”

Elite European challenge awaits

The West African nation must now focus on a daunting round of 32 knockout clash in Atlanta on Tuesday. Fae's side will face a formidable test against their potential opponents, whose definitive identity depends entirely on