Undav double puts Germany into knockout phase
Deniz Undav scored two goals off the bench as Germany pulled off a thrilling comeback to beat Cote d'Ivoire 2-1 in their 2026 FIFA World Cup Group E match, securing a place in the knockout stage for the first time since it won the title in 2014.
After having two goals disallowed in the first half, Germany did not lose focus and used intricate passing to find its way while the West African side produced its dynamic brand of attacking football in a wild clash.
Undav levelled the score with a controlled, volleyed finish in the 68th minute and struck again when he received a pass on the turn, before swivelling and firing home a ball that Yahia Fofana had no chance at stopping.
The versatile striker now has nine goals in his past eight matches.
Simon Adingra had a late chance for Cote d'Ivoire but failed to get a shot off in the area before Germany charged back down the pitch and Fofana blocked a low shot from Nathaniel Brown.
Cote d'Ivoire had opened the scoring in the first half when Franck Kessie slotted home a rebound off a shot by Amad Diallo on a play created when Yan Diomande charged down the left side and sent in a cross.
With more than 100,000 people of German ancestry living in Toronto, Julian Nagelsmann’s men enjoyed plenty of support but were a frustrated group at the interval with nothing to show for eight attempts on goal.
Germany looked to have opened the scoring when midfielder Aleksandar Pavlovic rose to meet a short corner in the 25th minute but was deemed to have fouled Fofana in the process.
The ruling left Pavlovic with his hands atop his head in disbelief while Fofana received some attention after the collision and the partisan crowd made its disdain for the referee's decision known.
Shortly after it was Les Elephants who finally broke through with Kessie's goal.
Germany once again put the ball in the back of the net but its celebrations were cut short as the referee determined that Jamal Musiala had fouled Odilon Kossounou in the build-up, but Undav put it all to rest with his double to seal the three points and a place in the Round of 32.
Germany tops Group E with six points while Cote d'Ivoire remains on three after two matches.
Germany will close out the group stage against Ecuador on Friday (AEST) in New Jersey while Cote d'Ivoire faces Curacao in Philadelphia, hoping to join Germany in the knockout stages.
