World Cup 2026 Player of the Day - Day 10: Super-sub Undav Does It Again for Germany
Tom Hancock
Deniz Undav came off the bench to save Germany from a shock defeat to Ivory Coast and fire them into the last 32 of the World Cup 2026 as Group E winners.
The four-time world champions were 1-0 down with 30 minutes to go in Toronto, but Julian Nagelsmann made an inspired triple substitution to turn the tide.
Undav combined with another of the introduced trio to draw his side level within eight minutes of coming on, volleying home Nadiem Amiri’s cross.
But the 29-year-old Stuttgart striker would make an even more dramatic impact deep into injury time, receiving Felix Nmecha’s superb through-ball before turning and sweeping the winner past goalkeeper Yahia Fofana.
Follow the World Cup 2026 with LiveScore
Having previously come off the bench to score a goal and assist two more as Germany thumped Curacao 7-1 in the tournament opener, Undav is already well out in front at these finals in terms of overall goal contributions with five – three more than his nearest challengers.
The former Brighton man moved to nine goals in just 11 caps with his decisive brace on Friday night.
Playing at his first World Cup, he notched Germany’s 238th goal in the competition in the win over Curacao – making them the joint highest World Cup scorers alongside Brazil at the time.
Something of a late bloomer, Undav only made his senior international debut in 2024, but he’s more than making up for lost time with performances like those he’s produced in North America.
READ MORE: World Cup Group Stage Analysis – Part 1
