Germany 2-1 Côte d'Ivoire: Supersub Undav scores twice to see Nagelsmann's side qualify

Deniz Undav was the hero with two goals off the bench, including a 94th-minute winner, as Germany reached the World Cup's last 32 with a 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast.

Match Report 

In-demand RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande produced another lively display in Toronto as Ivory Coast threatened to spring a surprise, going ahead through Franck Kessie's goal on the half-hour mark.

But having seen his side struggle for fluidity in attack, Julian Nagelsmann introduced Undav and Nadiem Amiri as part of a triple substitution on the hour, and they combined for the equaliser eight minutes later.

And Undav, who also scored twice as a substitute against Curacao last time out, clinched the three points with a lovely turn and finish in stoppage time, ensuring Germany will finish in the top two of Group E. They will top the section if Ecuador do not win their final two matches. 

Ivory Coast looked lively on the break early on, but the first major chance went Germany's way as Kai Havertz's downward header was turned away by Yahia Fofana.

Felix Nmecha then saw a venomous strike from distance deflect onto the roof of the net, and though Aleksandar Pavlovic headed in from Nathaniel Brown's subsequent corner, he was deemed to have fouled Fofana in the process.

But the hydration break seemed to stunt Germany's momentum, and they fell behind to a goal that owed much to standout Ivory Coast winger Diomande. He raced past Joshua Kimmich before crossing low into the six-yard box, and though Brown's block thwarted Amad Diallo, captain Kessie slotted his follow-up attempt past Manuel Neuer. 

Germany then had another goal disallowed, with Havertz finishing into an unguarded net after being teed up by Florian Wirtz, only to see the play called back for Jamal Musiala tripping Odilon Kossounou.

Christ Inao Oulai lifted over at the end of another fluid counter-attack early in the second half, before Havertz headed a deep Kimmich corner wide of a gaping goal.

But Germany's substitutes made the difference as Amiri's right-wing cross was side-footed into the roof of the net by Undav, who would still have one last contribution to make.

After Simon Adingra and Brown passed up great chances at either end, Undav spun on Nmecha's piercing pass and, having been played onside by Ghislain Konan, he slotted past Fofana to spark wild celebrations on the Germany sideline.

Germany's knockout wait over after Undav heroics 

After suffering back-to-back group-stage exits for the first time in their World Cup history in 2018 and 2022, Germany knew a victory here would clinch their first knockout-stage game at the tournament since the 2014 final. 

They were seriously tested, however, with Bundesliga breakout star Diomande taking the fight to them throughout the first half – Ivory Coast directed 56.1% of their attacks before half-time going down the left flank.

Diomande's cross led to Kessie's goal, as he became the second-oldest Ivory Coast goalscorer at a World Cup, at the age of 29 years and 183 days. Only Didier Drogba (32 years, 101 days) has scored for them at the tournament while older, against Brazil in 2010.

Germany had to survive another wave of pressure right after the restart, but Undav's introduction changed the game.

He already has five goal involvements as a substitute at this World Cup, having scored one goal and assisted two versus Curacao. That is the joint-most by any player at a single edition since records began in 1966, alongside Cameroon's Roger Milla in 1990.

Undav is also the first Germany player to score in his first two World Cup appearances since Miroslav Klose in 2002 – if he can get anywhere near the exploits of the tournament's joint-record goalscorer, Die Nationalelf will be very happy indeed. 

Line-ups

Germany XI: Neuer, Kimmich, Tah, Sane, Havertz, Schlotterbeck, Nmecha, Musiala, Wirtz, Pavlovic, Nathaniel Brown

Subs: Oliver Baumann, Gross, Rudiger, Goretzka, Amiri, Anton, Alexander Nübel, David Raum, Deniz Undav, Angelo Stiller, Malick Thiaw, Beier, Nick Woltemade, Jamie Leweling, Assan Ouédraogo

Côte d'Ivoire XI: Kessie, Sangare, Ghislain Konan, Yahia Fofana, Odilon, Singo, Emmanuel Agbadou, Amad Diallo Traore, Ange-Yoan Bonny, Christ Inao Oulaï, Yan Diomande

Subs: Seri, S.Fofana, Pepe, Christopher Operi, Alban Lafont, N'Dicka, Evann Guessand, Elye Wahi, Guéla Doué, Parfait Guiagon, Simon Adingra, Mohamed Koné, Oumar Diakité, Ousmane Diomande, Bazoumana Touré