Pre-matchThursday, June 25

Elephants Charge Toward Knockout Stage as Curaçao Face the Exit

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Côte d'Ivoire need just a point to guarantee their spot in the last 32, while winless Curaçao must pull off an enormous upset and hope Ecuador stumble if they are to survive Group E's final day.

The bookies make Côte d'Ivoire overwhelming favourites to finish the job, and 67 of you – more than 90% of the pool – backed the Elephants to put the Islanders away. Just one brave soul picked Curaçao, while six fancy a draw that would suit the Ivorians just fine.

The Maths: One Point from Safety, One Foot Out the Door

Côte d'Ivoire sit second on three points with a level goal difference, two clear of both Ecuador and Curaçao on one point apiece. A draw secures their passage; a win could yet see them snatch top spot if Germany slip against Ecuador. For Curaçao, the arithmetic is brutal: they must beat the Elephants and hope Ecuador lose to Germany, while also overturning a five-goal swing in goal difference. Remuntado Eisden's side have conceded six and scored none in two matches – the World Cup's joint-worst attack – making even a draw feel like scaling Kilimanjaro.

Favourites and the Market Line

Côte d'Ivoire enter as clear favourites across the betting markets, reflecting both their superior quality and the stakes. The Elephants boast a squad valued in the hundreds of millions and a recent AFCON triumph still fresh in the memory, while Curaçao – a nation of 150,000 playing in their first-ever World Cup – have looked outmatched at this level. The market expects a comfortable Ivorian win, and the pool has followed suit: 67 of 74 entries backed the away side, with 0-2 the most popular scoreline among 20 picks.

The Matchup: Haller's Hunt for Goals vs. a Leaky Defence

Sébastien Haller has yet to find the net in this tournament, but Curaçao's porous backline – which shipped four to Germany and two to Ecuador – offers the Borussia Dortmund striker his best chance to break through. The Elephants will also lean on the creativity of Franck Kessié in midfield and the pace of Simon Adingra on the wing to unlock a side that has managed just one goal in their last five matches across all competitions. For Curaçao, veteran forward Rangelo Janga – their lone recognised threat – must find service from somewhere if they are to trouble an Ivorian defence that has tightened considerably since their opening-day wobble.

Team News: Elephants at Full Strength, Islanders Stretched

Côte d'Ivoire are expected to name a strong XI with qualification within reach, though manager Emerse Faé may rotate one or two faces to manage legs ahead of the knockouts. Odilon Kossounou and Evan Ndicka form the likely centre-back pairing, with Max Gradel pushing for a start in attack. Curaçao, meanwhile, have no fresh injury concerns but precious few options to change a formula that hasn't worked: Remuntado Eisden is likely to stick with his 4-3-3, hoping Leandro Bacuna's set-piece delivery can conjure something from nothing. The Islanders have nothing to lose and everything to prove, but the gap in class may simply be too wide to bridge.

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