World Cup 2026: Germany 2-1 Ivory Coast

Deniz Undav got here off the bench to attain for Germany for the second World Cup recreation in a row, netting a double as Die Mannschaft got here from behind to beat a spirited Ivory Coast facet in Toronto.

Franck Kessie had given the Elephants a first-half benefit, whereas teenager Yan Diomande gave Germany a lot to consider because the African facet had been good worth for his or her lead.

However Julian Nagelsmann’s facet, who had two targets disallowed earlier than the break, ultimately hit again by an Undav brace – together with a 94th-minute winner – to make sure Germany’s progress to the knockout phases for the primary time since profitable the trophy in 2014.

The Ivory Coast, who beat Ecuador 1-0 of their opening recreation, will take nice confidence from their efficiency, and can have perception they’ll qualify for the subsequent spherical for the primary time ever.

The Elephants stun Die Mannschaft

Germany began the sport brightly and went shut contained in the opening 10 minutes when Kai Havertz met Joshua Kimmich’s pin-point cross, however Yahia Fofana within the Ivory Coast aim was equal to the header.

Felix Nmecha’s deflected strike dropped inches over the bar and from the ensuing nook, Aleksandar Pavlovic’s header was dominated out for a foul on Fofana.

However simply when Germany seemed the almost definitely to interrupt the impasse, Ivory Coast opened the scoring simply earlier than the half-hour mark.

Diomande, the 19-year-old being eyed up by Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain, confirmed his abilities by beating Kimmich to the byline earlier than flashing a harmful ball throughout the field.

Within the ensuing melee, Amad’s shot was initially blocked by Nathanial Brown however Kessie was readily available to steer residence the second try to present the youngest facet at this World Cup a shock lead.

Germany then noticed one other aim dominated out when Havertz rolled the ball into the web earlier than the referee pulled the sport again for a transparent foul within the build-up.

An entertaining second half

With Ivory Coast main on the break, they went in the hunt for second after the restart, with gifted teenager Chris Inao sending strike simply over when he maybe ought to have finished higher.

The Ivorians had been having an impressed recreation, proscribing Germany to half-chances and potshots from distance.

That was till the introduction of Undav off the bench. For the second recreation working, the striker discovered the web, thumping residence from shut vary on 68 minutes from fellow substitute Nadiem Amiri’s supply to degree the rating.

With the sport opening up late on, Ivory Coast squandered a wonderful probability when Simon Adingra hesitated too lengthy with the aim gaping, taking a contact when he ought to have taken it first time.

On the different finish, Fofana tipped away Brown’s goal-bound effort, earlier than the Ivorian keeper was once more referred to as into motion to forestall Undav from scoring.

However Undav wouldn’t be denied a second, expertly turning from Nmecha’s move earlier than rifling residence to finish the comeback in added time.