"We are delighted and proud to be the first Cote d'Ivoire team to reach the knockout rounds. Everyone has worked hard for this and we have got our reward," said Villarreal's Pepe, who scored both goals against Curacao in Philadelphia, one in each half.

"We are setting no limits. We have huge potential. Now we are into the knockout rounds so we will see what happens."

This Ivorian team has now achieved something that the previous great side featuring the likes of Didier Drogba and Yaya Toure never managed to do.

Before this year they had been to three FIFA World Cups, between 2006 and 2014, but never went beyond the group stage.

They will now head to Dallas for a last-32 tie on Tuesday against the Group I runners-up, which will be either France or Norway.

"We are really pleased. We will celebrate this and enjoy it a bit before starting to prepare for what's to come," said their French-born coach, Emerse Fae.

"Not everything was perfect but we have qualified and the victory will be good for morale."

Sources: AFP, FIFA via Getty Images