Undav scores twice in stoppage time as Germany beats Ivory Coast to reach World Cup knockout rounds

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Deniz Undav’s double in stoppage time secured Germany’s 2-1 victory over Côte d’Ivoire on Saturday, guaranteeing the DFB-Elf a place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout rounds with one match remaining in Group E. The Stuttgart striker, introduced as a substitute in the 61st minute, scored both goals in the 90th and 94th minutes to overturn a first-half deficit and send Hansi Flick’s side top of the group. Nico Schlotterbeck’s early injury added to the drama, but Undav’s late heroics ensured Germany avoided a potential group-stage upset against the tournament’s highest-ranked African side.
The match in Abidjan began disastrously for Germany, who fell behind to Franck Kessié’s 40th-minute header after a defensive error. Côte d’Ivoire, ranked 49th in the FIFA world rankings, dominated possession and created several chances, with Yan Diomande twice breaking through the German backline before being denied by Manuel Neuer. The pressure mounted until Undav’s introduction, which transformed the game. His first strike, a composed finish in the 90th minute, levelled the score and sparked wild celebrations among the German bench and travelling supporters. Four minutes later, Undav completed his cameo with a clinical finish after a counterattack, sparking scenes of jubilation that echoed across the stadium.
International media hailed the victory as a “German epic,” with outlets across Europe emphasizing the significance of Undav’s intervention. “Späte Erlösung: DFB-Team dank Undav schon jetzt in der nächsten Runde,” declared the *Tagesspiegel* , while *La Vanguardia* described it as “Alemania sí puede” after the turnaround . The *FAZ* noted that Germany had “resolved the match with what they had on the bench,” underscoring the impact of squad depth .
The win means Germany will face either Japan or Croatia in the Round of 16, depending on Tuesday’s result in Group E. Flick’s side, however, will need to address defensive vulnerabilities exposed against Côte d’Ivoire, particularly in transitions. Schlotterbeck’s enforced departure added to concerns, though his replacement, Jonathan Tah, held firm in the final stages. With momentum restored, Germany now eyes a top-two finish in the group, setting up a potential clash with a seeded team in the next phase. For now, the focus remains on Undav, whose late magic has silenced critics and reignited German hopes of a deep tournament run.
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