Germany defeated Ivory Coast 2-1 on Saturday in a hard-fought match after falling behind in the 30th minute. Frank Kessie put Ivory Coast ahead from close range after a scramble in the box, and Germany struggled to create clear chances before halftime.
Julian Nagelsmann’s side improved after the break, but Ivory Coast also had opportunities and failed to convert them. Germany made a triple substitution in the 60th minute, and eight minutes later substitute Nathaniel Amiri delivered a cross that Deniz Undav headed in to level the score.
The match remained evenly balanced until stoppage time, when Undav turned inside the area and finished clinically in the 94th minute to complete his brace and secure the win. The result officially sends Germany into the next stage, and they will finish first in the group if they draw Ecuador in the third round.
Undav now has three goals and two assists in only two appearances at the tournament, strengthening his case for a bigger role. By contrast, Germany’s main stars, Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz and Kai Havertz, had quiet games and missed the chances they did create. Ivory Coast’s loss complicates its group position, but the team can still advance against weaker Curaçao in the final round, with a win guaranteeing qualification and a draw possibly enough.
