BREAKING: In-Experience Cote d’Ivoire Surrender To Late Deniz Undav Goal As Germany Reach Knockout Stage At 2026 FIFA World
Deniz Undav scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner to complete his brace as Germany came from behind to defeat Côte d’Ivoire 2-1 and secure their place in the round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup.
The Stuttgart forward, who came on as a second-half substitute, cancelled out Franck Kessie’s first-half opener before netting a 94th-minute winner at the Toronto Stadium on Saturday to shatter Ivorian hearts.
The result guaranteed Julian Nagelsmann’s side a spot in the knockout phase with a game to spare, while the Elephants face a must-win final group fixture against Caracao to keep their tournament hopes alive.
Cote d’Ivoire started the brighter of the two teams, matching Germany’s technical quality with high-intensity pressing and physical dominance in the midfield hub.
The Ivorians took a deserved lead in the 30th minute. Kessie initiated a swift counterattack from the halfway line, exchanged a crisp one-two with Amad Diallo, and calmly slotted the ball beyond an onrushing Manuel Neuer.
Germany thought they had restored parity just before the halftime whistle when Kai Havertz found the back of the net. However, following a video assistant referee (VAR) review, the goal was chalked off for a foul by Jamal Musiala on Odilon Kossounou in the buildup.
Frustrated by his side’s lack of cutting edge, Nagelsmann rings the changes on the hour mark, introducing Nadiem Amiri and Undav.
The tactical gamble paid off in the 68th minute. Amiri advanced down the right flank and whipped a brilliant cross into the box, where an unmarked Undav executed a fine volley past Yahia Fofana to draw the former world champions level.
The game looked set for a draw, but Côte d’Ivoire missed a golden opportunity to snatch all three points in the 88th minute. Nicolas Pépé beat his marker on the wing and squared a low pass to Simon Adingra. With an empty net gaping, the Brighton winger took an extra touch, allowing Felix Nmecha to make a match-saving block.
Adingra’s profligacy was punished deep into four minutes of stoppage time. Nmecha turned provider, threading an incisive pass to Undav inside the penalty area.
The striker kept his composure, took a touch, and rifled his shot into the bottom corner to send the German bench into raptures and book their ticket to the round of 16.