Germany needed a spark after a flat first hour against Ivory Coast in Toronto. Julian Nagelsmann made changes, Deniz Undav turned the game with two key contributions—including the winner—and the 1-0 opener by Franck Kessie after Yan Diomande’s left-wing work e
The chants in Toronto began as a pressure release and turned into a demand with bite. “Undav. Undav. UNDAV!”
Germany had spent an hour looking uneasy against Ivory Coast. and the opening goal landed the way tournament nights can punish hesitation. Ivory Coast’s first shot on target took 30 minutes to arrive, and when it did Les Elephants struck—1-0 Germany. Franck Kessie finished a tap-in after Yan Diomande’s brilliant work on the left wing.
Then the game finally moved. Germany clawed back for a win. and the moment that flipped it came eight minutes after Deniz Undav took Jamal Musiala’s place. Under the weight of the crowd, Julian Nagelsmann inserted the Stuttgart striker along with Nadiem Amiri and Jamie Leweling. The change worked immediately.
Undav didn’t just score—he created. He played provider as well, setting up Amiri for a glorious chance that wasn’t taken in added time. Moments later, the Stuttgart forward delivered the kind of finish fans live for in competitions like this. Staying just onside, he swiveling to deposit the winner after a terrific Felix Nmecha pass.
Ivory Coast’s story didn’t collapse with the result. but it carried a stark reminder of what can swing a group campaign. In Group E. there is still something to build on after an incredible performance by Curacao goalkeeper Eloy Room in Kansas City. The 37-year-old made 15 saves to deny repeated Ecuadorian inquiries and secure his nation’s first-ever World Cup point. For Les Elephants, that kind of resilience matters as they regroup.
The Netherlands, meanwhile, arrived in a different mood—one built on response and momentum. After Ronald Koeman had been widely criticized for substitutions and overall management following the Netherlands’ 2-2 draw with Japan to open their World Cup. a 5-1 thrashing of Sweden on Saturday helped quiet skeptics. Koeman’s side flexed early and often. and the inclusion of Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey in the starting lineup supercharged the Dutch attack.
That Dutch response looked even sharper because of the contrast in Koeman’s earlier game-management. With the Netherlands up 2-1 against Japan following Crysencio Summerville’s strike in Dallas. Koeman “put the handbrake on.” Changes made in the 70th minute—swapping offence for defence—sent the Netherlands back on their own heels for the remainder of the match. and the Dutch were punished. even if a draw still felt fair after both sides’ play.
Back on the pitch in Houston on Saturday, Koeman opted for change again. He inserted Brobbey at the spear of the Holland attack, and it paid off immediately. Cody Gakpo’s man-of-the-match performance was also part of the reaction that followed the earlier criticism.
Koeman’s group is still packed with ingredients for a deep run. built around a formidable defence led by goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen and a backline featuring Virgil van Dijk. Jan Paul van Hecke. Denzel Dumfries and Mickey van de Ven. Frenkie de Jong remains one of the best in the world at his position. while the attack is led by Gakpo. Brobbey and the in-form Donyell Malen.
In Group F, the first goal remains top of the agenda after Japan 4, Tunisia 0, and the next encounter for the Netherlands is Tunisia. It is a chance to turn early pressure into something steadier.
Germany’s next test is already taking shape. It’s unlikely Nagelsmann drops the current starter at striker entirely, given his appreciation for Kai Havertz’s versatility. The expectation against Ecuador is that Havertz and Undav can play together.
Toronto also brought a reminder of how a match can pivot on one left flank. During the week. a video featuring Diomande in conversation was making the rounds. and a Toronto meeting turned into a full-on audition. Diomande started from the bottom in his development. training as a youngster with MLS and European clubs. but not receiving an offer to sign on. Fast forward and the ‘here’ he’s reached almost felt unfathomable.
In the first half against the heavily favoured Germans, Diomande was the focal point of Ivory Coast’s attack. He produced eleven box entries from his left flank. Ivory Coast withstood early growing pains to gain a foothold after the first hydration break. and his pulsating run at the half-hour mark led directly to Kessie’s opener.
There is also the club-world payoff hovering in the background. RB Leipzig, his club team, is looking at a nine-figure windfall once Diomande’s heavily rumoured move to Liverpool is complete this summer.
Even so, the match belongs to the striker who answered the stadium. For Germany fans, it was the moment “Undav” stopped being a chant and became a plan that worked—equalizing and then sealing the win after Undav’s two key contributions in Toronto.
MISRYOUM World Cup Germany Ivory Coast Deniz Undav Julian Nagelsmann Franck Kessie Yan Diomande Toronto Group E Eloy Room Curacao Netherlands Ronald Koeman Brian Brobbey Cody Gakpo Crysencio Summerville Japan Tunisia
Undav really saved Germany huh, crowd was wild.
Wait so Kessie scored first and then Undav just… took over? I swear the article was like 30 minutes of nothing then boom goal. Also why were they in Toronto for this anyway.
The chants did it lol. Like if the crowd didn’t start yelling Undav maybe Germany would’ve stayed awkward. But also how is Musiala replaced and then it becomes a totally different game? Feels like coaching magic.
I don’t get it, they said Germany “clawed back” but score was 1-0? Like was there extra time or did Ivory Coast just stop showing up after the early goal. And the goalkeeper stuff in Kansas City—how does that relate to Toronto at all?