Undav's Stoppage-Time Double Completes Germany Comeback Against Côte d'Ivoire
Mark Strijbosch
Substitute Deniz Undav struck twice, including a 90+4' winner, as Germany recovered from a goal down to beat Côte d'Ivoire 2–1 in World Cup Group E.
Nagelsmann's Triple Change Turns Deficit Into Victory in Toronto
Côte d'Ivoire led for 38 minutes and should have won. Franck Kessié converted after Manuel Neuer parried an initial effort, and Yahia Fofana made save after save to protect the advantage. Kai Havertz headed wide with the goalkeeper stranded. Amad Diallo fired over from inside the box. Simon Adingra wasted a clear chance after Nicolas Pépé's pass. Germany created, Germany missed, and Côte d'Ivoire absorbed.
Then Deniz Undav arrived. The Stuttgart striker entered at 60 minutes and equalised eight minutes later from Nadiem Amiri's cross. In the 94th minute, he turned sharply inside the box and beat Fofana with his left foot to complete the comeback. Germany won 2–1 and moved to six points from two matches after their 7–1 opening victory over Curaçao.
Key Events
Minute | Event | Player / Team | Description |
30' | Goal | Franck Kessié / Côte d'Ivoire | Converted rebound after Neuer parried initial effort |
46' | Injury Sub | Schlotterbeck off, Rüdiger on / Germany | Centre-back replaced at half-time with physical issues |
64' | Missed Chance | Kai Havertz / Germany | Header wide with goalkeeper off his line |
68' | Goal | Deniz Undav / Germany | Left-foot finish from Amiri's cross |
82' | Injury Sub | Singo off, Doué on / Côte d'Ivoire | Thigh injury forced departure in tears |
90+4' | Goal | Deniz Undav / Germany | Turned and finished from Nmecha pass |
Undav's two goals came within 26 minutes of entering the match. Kessié's opener was his 16th international goal. Fofana made saves from Wirtz, Kimmich, Undav and Amiri but could not prevent the late winner.
Player Ratings
Germany
Player | Rating | Description |
Manuel Neuer | 6.7 | Saved from Bonny at 38' but beaten by Kessié's close-range finish |
Nico Schlotterbeck | 5.9 | Struggled after collision and withdrawn at half-time with discomfort |
Jonathan Tah | 6.6 | Organised the backline and made clearances when Côte d'Ivoire countered |
Nathaniel Brown | 6.7 | Provided width from left-back with overlapping runs to support Wirtz |
Joshua Kimmich | 7.2 | Shot saved by Fofana at 89' and orchestrated play from deep |
Aleksandar Pavlovic | 6.4 | Held position until replaced at 60' in the triple substitution |
Felix Nmecha | 7.4 | Assisted the winning goal with a pass into the box at 90+4' |
Jamal Musiala | 6.5 | Shot wide at 18' and blocked at 48' before being substituted |
Florian Wirtz | 7.8 | Header saved at 10' and created throughout as Germany's main threat |
Kai Havertz | 6.6 | Shot over at 1', header saved at 10', headed wide at 64' |
Leroy Sané | 6.2 | Struggled to beat his marker before replacement at the hour |
Antonio Rüdiger | 6.6 | Replaced Schlotterbeck and provided stability alongside Tah |
Nadiem Amiri | 7.3 | Assisted equaliser at 68' and had a shot saved at 90+1' |
Jamie Leweling | 6.3 | Shot wide at 61' after entering as part of triple change |
Deniz Undav | 9.2 | Scored twice from the bench including the 90+4' winner |
Leon Goretzka | 6.1 | Brief appearance after replacing Havertz at 85' |
Côte d'Ivoire
Player | Rating | Description |
Yahia Fofana | 7.6 | Made saves from Wirtz, Kimmich, Undav and Amiri but beaten twice |
Ghislain Konan | 6.5 | Contributed to buildup from left-back without major errors |
Emmanuel Agbadou | 6.6 | Organised defence and made clearances under sustained German pressure |
Odilon Kossounou | 6.5 | Comfortable on the ball but could not prevent Undav's late goals |
Wilfried Singo | 6.9 | Shot blocked at 12' before thigh injury forced him off at 82' |
Franck Kessié | 7.4 | Scored opening goal at 30' and had another effort saved at 50' |
Ibrahim Sangaré | 6.5 | Anchored midfield before being replaced at 75' |
Christ Inao Oulaï | 6.4 | Shot wide at 56' and worked in central areas |
Yan Diomande | 6.7 | Created opening goal with run and cross from the left |
Ange-Yoan Bonny | 6.6 | Shot saved by Neuer at 38' while leading the line |
Amad Diallo | 6.3 | Shot over from inside box at 51' before being replaced |
Simon Adingra | 5.8 | Poor first touch wasted clear chance at 88' after Pépé's pass |
Seko Fofana | 6.2 | Entered at 75' but could not prevent Germany's momentum |
Evann Guessand | 6.1 | Limited involvement after replacing Bonny |
Guela Doué | 6.0 | Emergency introduction for injured Singo at 82' |
Nicolas Pépé | 6.4 | Created late chance for Adingra with run and pass |
Line-Ups and Subs
Germany started Neuer behind a back four of Brown, Schlotterbeck, Tah and an unnamed right-back. Kimmich captained from midfield alongside Pavlovic and Nmecha, with Wirtz, Musiala and Sané supporting Havertz.
Schlotterbeck was replaced by Rüdiger at half-time after showing discomfort following a first-half collision. At 60', Nagelsmann made a triple change: Amiri, Leweling and Undav replaced Pavlovic, Sané and Musiala. Goretzka came on for Havertz at 85'.
Côte d'Ivoire made their changes from 75'. Adingra, Seko Fofana and Guessand replaced Diallo, Sangaré and Bonny. Singo departed injured at 82', with Doué entering. Pépé replaced Diomande at 85'.
First Half: Kessié Strike Gives Côte d'Ivoire Lead Against Dominant Germany
Germany created the first chance inside 60 seconds. The ball fell to Havertz in the box but he shot over without proper coordination. Wirtz headed towards the corner at 10 minutes and Fofana saved. Musiala cut inside and shot wide at 18'. Nmecha struck from distance at 21', the ball passing just wide.
Côte d'Ivoire scored against the run of play. In the 30th minute, Yan Diomande drove forward and crossed from the left. Neuer parried the initial effort and Kessié converted the rebound with his right foot. Germany 0–1 Côte d'Ivoire.
Bonny tested Neuer at 38'. Havertz found the net around 40 minutes but the goal was disallowed for a foul in the buildup. Seven minutes of stoppage time were added. Wirtz had a weak effort saved by Fofana. Schlotterbeck had required treatment twice and could not continue.
Second Half: Undav Brace Settles Contest in Stoppage Time
Rüdiger replaced Schlotterbeck at the interval. Côte d'Ivoire continued to threaten. Kessié's shot at 50' deflected and Neuer saved. Diallo fired over from inside the box at 51'. At 56', another Ivorian effort went wide.
Nagelsmann's triple substitution at 60' changed the pattern. At 64', Havertz rose to meet a corner with Fofana out of position but headed wide. Four minutes later, Undav equalised. He started the move himself, Amiri crossed from the right, and Undav finished with his left foot.
Côte d'Ivoire made three changes at 75' but lost Singo to a thigh injury at 82'. Adingra wasted a clear chance at 88' when Pépé's pass found him but his heavy touch cost him the opportunity. Fofana saved from Undav at 86', Kimmich at 89' and Amiri at 90+1'.
The winner arrived at 90+4'. Nmecha threaded a pass into the box. Undav controlled, turned and shot past Fofana with his left foot. Germany 2–1 Côte d'Ivoire.
Tactical Notes
Nagelsmann's 60th-minute triple substitution directly produced both Germany goals. Undav started the move for the equaliser and finished it. Amiri delivered the cross. At 90+4', Nmecha provided the assist. The withdrawal of Musiala, Sané and Pavlovic added directness to a side that had created without finishing.
Group E: As Things Stand
Germany moved to six points from two matches after their 7–1 opening victory over Curaçao. Côte d'Ivoire must beat Curaçao in their final group match. The Ivorians have never reached the World Cup knockout stage.
History for Neuer
Neuer made his 21st World Cup appearance, becoming the goalkeeper with the most matches in the competition's history.
