Philadelphia, June 24: Curaçao have already made history just by being here, but Côte d’Ivoire arrive in Philadelphia with unfinished business and a squad built to go deep in this tournament.
Côte d’Ivoire sit second in Group E on three points, knowing that a win here almost certainly secures their progression to the last 32.
Curaçao, level on one point with Ecuador but separated by a significantly inferior goal difference, need a victory to keep any realistic hope of advancement alive.
Germany have already wrapped up top spot with six points from six, so this Philadelphia showdown has every chance of deciding second place outright.
The stakes could scarcely be higher for one side making its World Cup debut and another chasing qualification from a tournament it has not featured in for over a decade.
It has to been seen whether Côte d’Ivoire can combine the composure to win with the urgency to score enough goals to keep their goal difference competitive.
Manager I Kamara knows his side cannot afford another slip, and a young, technically gifted squad featuring Amad Diallo, Ibrahim Sangaré, and Franck Kessié is more than capable of dismantling a Curaçao defensive block given enough time and space.
Curaçao, meanwhile, will need to organise as they did against Ecuador, knowing that even a narrow defeat could end their campaign with heads held high.
For Curaçao side, a point or a goal will feel like its own kind of achievement. (Agencies)
