The Germans started losing, but Nagelsmann’s changes worked and they ended up turning the score around.
Germany secured their second World Cup victory at Toronto Stadium, this time against Ivory Coast (2-1) thanks to a brace from Deniz Undav, sending Julian Nagelsmann’s side through to the Round of 32. Theย ย Stuttgart striker started on the bench, as did Real Madrid’sย Antonio Rรผdigerย . It was the substitutions that sparked the German comeback, and in a tense finale, they snatched a last-gasp win. Undav’s 94th-minute goal, a goal that solidified his reputation and position as a potential starter, proved decisive and sealed the victory for the Africans, who will have to wait to secure their place in the knockout stage, although they still have three points after defeating Ecuador (1-0).ย
Although the Germans took control from the start, with an early warning shot from Kai Havertz with a volley that went wide, they weren’t able to truly trouble Ivory Coast, who have always risen to the occasion in big matches and demonstrated their potential to compete on equal terms. Jamal Musiala and a Havertz header saved by Yahia Fofana were the next chances, with Aleksandar Pavloviฤ finally finding the net, but the goal was disallowed by the referee, Paraguayan Juan Gabriel Benรญtez, for a foul on the goalkeeper in the air. After the hydration break, the pace of the game changed, and Franck Kessiรฉ surprised the European defense after a great run down the left wing by Yan Diomande . Germany’s response was weak and ineffective, leaving the second half to decide an open contest.
Nagelsmann’s team didn’t restart the match well, but the coach changed the game tactically with some significant substitutions. The first of these was Rรผdiger, who warmed up before halftime due to Nico Schlotterbeck’s physical problems. There was still time for Ivory Coast to find their rhythm and trouble Germany on several occasions, who were trapped in a match where they looked uncomfortable and lacked the brilliance they showed in their opening 7-1 victory against Curaรงao . Right around the hour mark, and with Rรผdiger making his presence felt by venturing forward into attack, the triple substitution of Nadiem Amiri, Jamie Lewling, and Undav opened up numerous opportunities for the ‘Mannschaft’.
Undav changes everything
Just ten minutes after coming on, Undav pounced on Amiri’s cross to level the score. Germany woke up in a moment of desperate need, when they were at their lowest ebb, especially given Ivory Coast’s tenacity. Although they dropped deep, they never gave up and competed until the final whistle. In the closing stages, the game opened up and either side could have won, but Undav made no mistake against Fofana, who had previously made a save, and slotted home the second goal in stoppage time after a brilliant assist from Felix Nmecha . With this victory, Germany, despite losing some of their dominance, maintains a perfect record and is now focused on the round of 32, having advanced from the group stage for the first time in three World Cups.
Group E / World Cup 2026
1st – Germany: 6 points
2nd – Ivory Coast: 3 points
3rd.- Ecuador: 0 points (-1)
4th – Curacao: 0 points (-1)
Results of day 1
Germany 2 – 1 Ivory Coast
Ecuador – Curacao (Sunday, June 21, 2 hours)
