Deniz Undav #26 of Germany celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group E match between Germany and Cote D'Ivoire at Toronto Stadium on June 20, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Megan Briggs / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
Toronto: Substitute Deniz Undav struck twice as Germany booked their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 with a dramatic comeback victory over Côte d'Ivoire in Toronto yesterday.
The Ivorians looked set to progress after Franck Kessie gave them the lead midway through the first half, but Undav turned the contest on its head at Toronto Stadium. The forward headed home the equaliser before netting deep into stoppage time to send the four-time champions through.
Germany threatened from the opening moments. Kai Havertz met a header straight from kick-off but lifted the loose ball narrowly over the bar. The striker then came close again when Joshua Kimmich picked him out with a precise cross, only for Côte d'Ivoire goalkeeper Yahia Fofana to keep out his low effort.
Fofana was beaten shortly after when Aleksandar Pavlovic headed home a corner from the right, only for the referee to blow after the Bayern Munich midfielder was adjudged to have led with an elbow.
Les Elephants hung in though, and sucker-punched the four-time champions down the other end. The ever-dangerous Yan Diomande burst down the left and put in a low cross which fell to the feet of Amad Diallo. While Nathaniel Brown made a block, he couldn't prevent Kessie from tucking home the rebound.
The Africans held their own at the start of the second half, forcing Julian Nagelsmann to shuffle his pack. He called upon Nadiem Amiri and Undav on the hour and just eight minutes later the former sent an inch-perfect cross for the latter to head in the leveller.
Fae turned to his bench and was almost handsomely rewarded himself. Nicholas Pepe broke down the right, and as Evann Guessand dragged away the German defence, Simon Adingra was left all alone on the left side of the box. However, a loose touch saw him crowded out.
That chance proved to be crucial as, four minutes into stoppage time, Lukas Nmecha slid a clever ball through to Undav, who turned and finished with aplomb to break Ivorian hearts.
Germany will now wait for Curaçao-Ecuador to see whether they will be confirmed as section winners, but are already assured - at worst - of progressing as one of the eight best third-place teams. (FIFA)
