Deniz Undav came off the bench to score twice as Germany fought back to beat Côte d’Ivoire 2-1 in Group E at the FIFA World Cup 2026™, sealing progression to the Round of 32 at Toronto Stadium.
Côte d’Ivoire had been on course to qualify after Franck Kessie put them ahead on the half-hour, but Undav’s 68th-minute header and a 90+4 winner turned the match and sent Germany through to the knockouts.
How Germany turned it around in Toronto
Germany nearly made the ideal start from the opening moments. Kai Havertz won a header from kick-off and then fired the loose ball just over the crossbar. Soon after, Joshua Kimmich delivered a pinpoint cross for Havertz, whose low header was beaten away by Yahia Fofana.
Fofana was then beaten when Aleksandar Pavlovic headed home a corner from the right, but the goal did not stand after the referee blew for an infringement, with the Bayern Munich midfielder adjudged to have led with an elbow.
Côte d’Ivoire absorbed the early pressure and then struck at the other end. Yan Diomande burst down the left and delivered a low cross that fell to Amad Diallo. Nathaniel Brown made a block, but the ball broke kindly for Kessie, who tucked home the rebound to give Les Éléphants a 1-0 lead on 30 minutes.
The Africans held their own at the start of the second half, and Germany responded with changes. Julian Nagelsmann turned to his bench on the hour, bringing on Nadiem Amiri and Undav. The move paid off quickly: eight minutes later, Amiri supplied an inch-perfect cross and Undav rose to head in from close range for the equaliser in the 68th minute.
Côte d’Ivoire also looked to their substitutes and came close to restoring their advantage. Nicholas Pepe broke down the right, and as Evann Guessand dragged away the German defence, Simon Adingra found himself alone on the left side of the box. However, a loose touch allowed Germany to crowd him out, and the chance slipped away.
That moment proved costly. Four minutes into stoppage time, Lukas Nmecha slid a clever ball through to Undav, who turned and finished to complete his brace and secure a 2-1 comeback win in the 90+4 minute.
What the result means for Group E
The victory sent Germany through to the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Round of 32. Germany will now wait for Curaçao-Ecuador to determine whether they will be confirmed as Group E winners, but they are already assured—at worst—of progressing as one of the eight best third-place teams.
Undav’s impact was underlined by a key stat from the match report: he now has nine goals from his last eight Germany caps. He was also named the Michelob Ultra Superior Player of the Match.
