Deniz Undav came off the bench and scored two late goals as Germany edged Ivory Coast 2-1, securing a knockout-stage spot at the World Cup. Franck Kessie had given the Ivorians the lead before Germany’s comeback was completed in stoppage time.
TORONTO — The game looked like it was slipping away from Germany, and then, with the clock deep into stoppage time, the match turned on a simple pass and a ruthless finish.
Deniz Undav, subbed on in the second half, received a ball from Felix Nmecha in front of goal and rifled it past Ivory Coast goalkeeper Yahia Fofana to give Germany a comeback win over the Elephants on Saturday, 2-1.
Undav’s first goal had come earlier, too. Nadiem Amiri sent a long ball into the area — Kai Havertz let it go — and Undav hammered it into the back of the net at the 68th minute. Amiri and Undav had both come off the bench eight minutes earlier.
For Germany, it was a moment of relief and momentum they had been chasing. The four-time champions have faced disappointing group-stage exits in 2018 and 2022, but this time they got their response and clinched a place in the knockout phase.
Ivory Coast, meanwhile, are still searching for their first breakthrough to the next round. The result did not end their hopes; they could still qualify.
The tension had started with Ivory Coast’s breakthrough. Franck Kessie opened the scoring in the 30th minute after Yan Diomande picked out Amad Diallo with a cross. Diallo’s shot was blocked by Germany’s Nathaniel Brown. but the ball bounced back to Kessie. who slotted it into the wide-open left corner.
Germany had reasons to feel frustrated before Undav’s late impact. In the 21st minute. Fofana batted the ball into his own net. only for it to be wiped out because Germany midfielder Aleksander Pavlovic made illegal contact with Fofana on the play. Then at 38 minutes. Germany saw another potential breakthrough ruled out when Jamal Musiala was called for contact on the build-up to what would have been a Havertz goal.
That first-half swing of events made the second half feel heavier each time Germany pressed, and Undav’s goals did more than flip the scoreline — they turned the story.
There was also a significant absence for Ivory Coast. Elye Wahi, the striker under investigation for alleged betting-related offences while playing in France for Nice, did not play. He had spent time fighting to get into Canada for the tournament. and his lack of minutes left another question hanging over the Ivorians’ attacking options.
The wider picture still matters for both sides. Germany’s last time reaching the knockout stage, before this current run, was the tournament they won in 2014. Now, with their place secured this time, they can build toward the next round. For Ivory Coast. the fight continues — but it will be with the sting of a lead lost and a comeback finished by a substitute who barely had time to settle.
World Cup Germany vs Ivory Coast Deniz Undav Felix Nmecha Yahia Fofana Franck Kessie Amad Diallo Jamal Musiala Kai Havertz Elye Wahi
Undav coming off the bench like that is wild. Germany always needs a late wakeup call huh.
I thought Germany was cooked, then stoppage time magic. But also it says Ivory Coast could still qualify, so why does it feel like everyone’s acting like it’s over? Sports media be confusing.
Wait the goalie batted it into his own net… so like, was that on purpose or did he just trip? And the article says simple pass to Undav but then it’s like 5 names, I’m lost.
Germany “four-time champions” but they had disappointing exits 2018 and 2022 so I don’t trust this team yet. Also Ivory Coast still has hopes?? Sounds like the group table is rigged or something. Kessie scoring first and then disappearing is kinda the story of every game I watch.