Germany v Ivory Coast: Super Sub Undav Fires Germany Into Knockout Rounds for First Time Since 2014

• Deniz Undav scored twice off the bench as Germany came from behind to beat Ivory Coast 2-1 at Toronto Stadium and clinch a place in the Round of 32.
• Franck Kessie had given Ivory Coast the lead on the half hour, and Germany had two first-half goals disallowed in a frustrating opening period for Julian Nagelsmann’s side.
• Manuel Neuer made his 21st World Cup appearance to surpass Hugo Lloris as the goalkeeper with the most games played in the competition’s history.

Undav Breaks Ivorian Hearts in Stoppage Time to Complete Stunning Comeback

Deniz Undav emerged from the bench to score twice and send Germany through to the World Cup knockout rounds for the first time since their title-winning campaign in 2014. The Stuttgart striker headed in the equalizer in the 68th minute and then turned and finished with aplomb four minutes into stoppage time to break Ivorian hearts at Toronto Stadium. Germany, who had endured group-stage exits in 2018 and 2022, join co-hosts Mexico and the United States in claiming a berth in the last 32.

Germany almost carved out the perfect start when Kai Havertz won a header from the kickoff and fired the loose ball just over the crossbar. Joshua Kimmich then found Havertz with a pinpoint cross, but his low header was beaten away by Yahia Fofana. The four-time champions were dominant in the opening stages but could not find the breakthrough.

Their frustration deepened when two goals were waved off in the first half. The first came in the 21st minute when Fofana batted the ball into his own net, but the referee ruled that Aleksandar Pavlovic had led with an elbow and made illegal contact with the goalkeeper. The second arrived in the 38th minute, with Jamal Musiala called for a foul in the buildup to what would have been a Havertz goal.

Between those two disallowed strikes, Ivory Coast delivered a sucker punch. The ever-dangerous Yan Diomande burst down the left and put in a low cross that fell to Amad Diallo. Nathaniel Brown blocked the Manchester United forward’s shot, but the ball bounced back to captain Kessie, who tucked home the rebound in the 30th minute. Emerse Fae’s side were on course for a famous result that would have put them in prime position to qualify for the knockout rounds for the first time in their history.

The one setback for Germany beyond the scoreline was an injury that forced defender Nico Schlotterbeck off at halftime. “We have to wait for the scans but it doesn’t look good. He did really well to keep playing until half time and now we just have to wait and see what the news is,” Nagelsmann said.

Ivory Coast held their own at the start of the second half, forcing Nagelsmann to shuffle his pack. He called upon Nadiem Amiri and Undav on the hour, and the double substitution changed the match entirely. Just eight minutes after their introduction, Amiri sent an inch-perfect cross into the box and Undav headed in the equalizer from close range. It was Undav’s second goal of the tournament after he had also scored in the 7-1 opening rout of Curacao.

Fae turned to his own bench in search of a response, and Ivory Coast were almost handsomely rewarded. Nicholas Pepe broke down the right, and as Evann Guessand dragged the German defense away, Simon Adingra was left completely unmarked on the left side of the area. A loose touch, however, saw him crowded out before he could shoot. That chance proved to be the decisive moment of the match.

Four minutes into stoppage time, Lukas Nmecha slid a clever ball through the Ivorian defense and Undav turned and finished past Fofana to complete a stunning comeback. Undav became only the fourth player in World Cup history to score both the tying and winning goals as a substitute in the same match.

“It’s important that everyone sees that even the players from the bench can decide games,” Undav said. “Now we have a really important signal to the team. I think that’s very important in a game like this.”

He reflected on the broader achievement with pride. “Think we showed great character today. We want to achieve the most,” Undav added.

Nagelsmann praised his striker’s readiness. “Deniz is nobody who needs to be prepared. He can jump in right away,” the Germany coach said.

Neuer, who won the World Cup with Germany in 2014, made more history of his own by making his 21st appearance at the tournament to pass Lloris as the most capped goalkeeper in World Cup history. The 40-year-old continues to add to a remarkable legacy at an age when most players have long since retired.

Ivory Coast forward Elye Wahi, who is under investigation for alleged betting-related offenses while playing for Nice in France and had fought a court battle to enter Canada, did not feature. Germany face Ecuador in their final group game on Thursday, while Ivory Coast take on Curacao at the same time knowing they can still qualify for the knockout rounds.

WRITTEN BY

Jarrod

Jarrod Partridge is the Founder of Futbol Chronicle and an accredited journalist with over 30 years of experience following international football. A member of the AIPS International Sports Press Association, Jarrod has covered matches at stadiums around the world, bringing first-hand insight to every match report, player profile, and tactical analysis he writes.

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