Deniz Undav scored a brace coming off the bench as Germany bounced back brilliantly to beat Ivory Coast 2-1 in their World Cup Group E match on Saturday, while also securing their place in the knockout stage for the first time since they won the 2014 World Cup.
Germany stayed composed despite having two goals ruled out in the first half, eventually fighting back to beat Ivory Coast in an entertaining match at Toronto Stadium. While Germany relied on sharp passing and teamwork, Ivory Coast threatened throughout with their fast and attacking style of play.
“This is a really important win for us,” said Germany forward Deniz Undav, who has now scored nine goals in his last eight matches. “We showed a lot of character today.”
Undav equalised in the 68th minute with a calm volley and then scored the winner deep into stoppage time. He controlled a pass while turning, spun around his defender and fired a shot past goalkeeper Yahia Fofana, who had no chance of stopping it.
Ivory Coast nearly grabbed a late goal when Simon Adingra found space in the penalty area, but he could not get a shot away. Germany immediately launched a counterattack, and although Fofana saved Nathaniel Brown’s low effort, the Europeans kept pushing until they found the winner.
The defeat means Ivory Coast would now have to wait longer to secure what would be their first-ever place in the knockout stage of the tournament.
Ivory Coast had taken the lead in the first half. Yan Diomande burst down the left wing and delivered a cross, Amad’s shot was saved, and Franck Kessie reacted quickest to score from the rebound.
Germany enjoyed strong support from the crowd, with more than 100,000 people of German heritage living in Toronto. However, Julian Nagelsmann’s side went into half-time frustrated. Despite creating several chances and taking eight shots, they were trailing 1-0.
It was an unusual situation for Germany, who had only been behind at halftime four times in their previous 36 World Cup matches.
After the break, Germany came out with greater urgency. They played more aggressively, took more risks and looked determined to turn the game around.
Germany thought they had gone ahead in the 25th minute when Aleksandar Pavlovic headed home from a short corner, but the goal was ruled out because he was judged to have fouled Fofana during the play.
Pavlovic could hardly believe the decision, while Fofana needed treatment after the collision. The German fans inside the stadium clearly disagreed with the referee’s call.
Soon after, Ivory Coast struck first through Kessie’s goal. It extended the West Africans’ scoring streak to seven consecutive World Cup matches, their longest ever at the tournament.
Germany later had another goal disallowed when the referee ruled that Jamal Musiala had fouled Odilon Kossounou in the build-up.
Germany now top Group E with six points from two matches and have already secured a place in the last 32. Ivory Coast remain on three points.
Germany will finish their group-stage campaign against Ecuador in New Jersey on Thursday, while Ivory Coast take on Curacao in Philadelphia.
