Germany booked a place in the World Cup Round of 32 with a dramatic 2-1 comeback win over Ivory Coast on Saturday night into Sunday at a packed BMO Field in Toronto. The result gives Julian Nagelsmann’s side a second straight victory and puts them in strong position to finish first in Group E ahead of their final match against Ecuador.
Ivory Coast struck first in the 30th minute through Franck Kessié, who finished from close range after a fine move started by young attacker Yan Diomande. Germany had earlier thought it had taken the lead when Alexander Pavlovic scored in the 22nd minute, but the goal was disallowed for a marginal foul on the goalkeeper. In the first half, Kai Havertz and Florian Wirtz both struggled to beat goalkeeper Yahia Fofana.
Nagelsmann’s triple substitution in the 60th minute changed the game. Eight minutes later, substitute Nadiem Amiri delivered a precise cross and Deniz Undav headed in the equalizer. Ivory Coast still threatened on the counterattack and came close in the 88th minute, when Nicolas Pepe delayed too long and lost the ball in front of Manuel Neuer.
The winner came deep in stoppage time, in the 95th minute. Felix Nmecha slipped Undav through with a through ball, and the striker controlled it, turned, and fired a powerful shot into the corner past Fofana. It was Germany’s 11th straight win under Nagelsmann, and their first run of two consecutive World Cup wins since 2014. Ivory Coast, led by Emerse Faé, remains alive in the group and will try to clinch qualification against Curacao.
