World Cup 2026 | Germany 2 - 1 Ivory Coast
Substitute Deniz Undav emerged as Germany's hero with a dramatic 94th-minute winner
The 2024 winners completed a remarkable comeback against Ivory Coast to secure a place in the World Cup knockout stages.
Author | Ed
Stadium | Toronto Stadium
The four-time champions had endured a frustrating evening after falling behind to captain Franck Kessie's 30th-minute strike, but Julian Nagelsmann turned to his bench in search of a response and Undav delivered in emphatic fashion with two second-half goals.
The Stuttgart forward applied a composed finish to fellow substitute Nadiem Amiri's cross to level in the 68th minute before striking again deep into stoppage time to inflict heartbreak on the African nation.
Undav had also scored once and provided two assists after coming off the bench in Germany's 7-1 opening victory over Curacao.
A disappointed Ivory Coast side can still progress from Group E alongside Germany if they beat World Cup debutants Curacao in their final group match.
A closer analysis of what happened
Emerse Fae's team impressed with their energy and direct approach in Toronto, but it was Germany who fashioned the better openings.
The Germans thought they had gone ahead in the 22nd minute when Aleksandar Pavlovic headed in from a corner, only for the effort to be ruled out after a foul on goalkeeper Yahia Fofana.
Ivory Coast took the lead when exciting 19-year-old winger Yan Diomande picked out Amad Diallo, whose close-range shot was blocked by Nathaniel Brown before Kessie reacted quickest to turn in the rebound.
Germany's frustration mounted as Kai Havertz had a goal disallowed after Jamal Musiala was adjudged to have fouled Emmanuel Agbadou in the build-up, while an unmarked Christ Inao Oulai and Kessie both missed opportunities to extend the Ivorians' advantage.
Those missed chances proved costly
Fofana denied efforts from Brown and Amiri late on, but there was nothing he could do when Undav expertly controlled Felix Nmecha's pass and turned smartly to fire beyond the goalkeeper, breaking Ivorian hearts in the closing moments.
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