TORONTO: Substitute Deniz Undav’s late magic inspired Germany comeback against a spirited Ivory Coast, securing their place in the Round of 32 stage at the FIFA World Cup 2026.
The Die Mannschaft secured a 2-1 victory, with Undav scoring a brace in the 68th and four minutes into stoppage time to guide his team home.
The result marks the first time since 2014 that Germany have reached the knockout rounds after back-to-back first-round eliminations in the 2018 and 2022 tournaments.
Germany had not advanced from the group stage since winning the 2014 tournament in Brazil, and coach Julian Nagelsmann had been under huge pressure to make that breakthrough.
A first-half goal by Franck Kessie gave the Ivorians a 30th-minute lead.
Kessie turned in from close range following strong work by teenage Ivorian phenomenon Yan Diomande, who is in the sights of some of Europe’s top clubs, including Liverpool.
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The Germans thought they had found the net twice in the first half.
Nathaniel Brown’s corner in the 21st minute was knocked into the goal by Aleksandar Pavlovic, but Paraguayan referee Juan Gabriel Benitez immediately called it back — charging Pavlovic with fouling Ivorian goalkeeper Yahia Fofana.
Then, in the 38th minute, German forward and Arsenal star Kai Havertz had the ball in the net, but it was disallowed because of a foul by Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala.
When the second half began, the Germans applied relentless pressure.
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The vaunted Ivorian defence held firm till the 68th minute, but ultimately the Germans broke through.
Undav, of VfB Stuttgart, volleyed in a cross by Nadiem Amiri in the 63rd minute.
His second sent Nagelsmann and the German crowd into a frenzy as the Germans snapped a string of disappointments at the last two World Cups.
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