Ivory Coast advance, Ecuador fight back to shock Germany.

By Mark Gleeson in ​Atlanta.

Striker Nicolas Pepe scored both goals as ​Ivory Coast beat Curacao ‌2-0 on Thursday to book a place in the World ​Cup knockout stage for ​the first time.

Pepe netted in ⁠the seventh and 64th ​minute to ensure second spot ​in Group E for the Ivorians and condemn tiny Curacao to ​bottom spot and elimination ​from the tournament.

Ivory Coast, with six points, ‌finished ⁠runners-up to Germany in their group, and qualified for the knockout stage for ​the first ​time ⁠in four attempts.

In the last 32, the ​Ivory Coast will play ​in ⁠Dallas on Tuesday against the runners-up in Group I, ⁠to ​be decided ​later on Thursday.

Meanwhile Ecuador stunned Germany ​2-1 on Wednesday to drag ‌their World Cup campaign out of the flames and qualify for a place ​in the last 32.

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