2026 World Cup: Undav nets injury-time winner for Germany in Cote d’Ivoire clash
Super-sub Deniz Undav came to Germany’s rescue, as his late brace earned a 2-1 victory over Cote d’Ivoire - and passage to the last-32 of the FIFA World Cup.
Julian Nagelsmann’s men had the bulk of the early chances, as Jamal Musiala and Felix Nmecha came close from distance, while Aleksandar Pavlovic had a goal chalked off for a foul on the goalkeeper.
The Elephants regrouped during the hydration break, though, and scored straight after the restart when Amad Diallo’s strike was blocked into the path of Franck Kessie, who coolly tucked home from close range.
A German onslaught was expected after the break, but it was the African side who continued to attack, with Kessie, Yan Diomande and Inao Oulai wasting good openings.
A trio of changes from the four-time winners turned the tide though, and one of them, Nadiem Amiri, teed up another, Deniz Undav, to equalise with a delightful volley from the edge of the six-yard box.
He had another go late on, only to shoot straight at Yahia Fofana, who also made a stunning last-gasp save from Nathaniel Brown.
The goalkeeper could do nothing to prevent Undav from pivoting and converting from Nmecha’s pass in injury time though, as Germany secured a 2-1 success to secure a place in the knockout stage for the first time since 2014.