Super-sub Undav’s brace fires Germany past Ivory Coast and into the knockout stage | OneFootball

Germany came from behind to beat Ivory Coast 2–1, securing progression from the group thanks to a brace from second-half substitute Deniz Undav.

Julian Nagelsmann's team started brightly and nearly took the lead in the ninth minute, when Kai Havertz met a cross from Joshua Kimmich with a header, only to be denied by a strong save from Yahia Fofana.

While keeping Ivory Coast to a minimum of chances, Julian Nagelsmann’s side continued to press for the opener, with both Jamal Musiala and Felix Nmecha going close from distance after around the 20-minute mark.

Shortly afterwards, Aleksandar Pavlović thought he had given Germany the lead when he headed in from a corner, but the goal was disallowed for a foul on Fofana.

But after a relatively quiet start to the game, Yan Diomande made the difference for Ivory Coast, using his pace to beat Joshua Kimmich on the flank before delivering a sharp cross for Amad Diallo. Nathaniel Brown blocked the initial effort, but the rebound fell to Franck Kessié, who made no mistake in putting Ivory Coast in front.

Ivory Coast threatened again before the break through Ange-Yoan Bonny before Germany had another goal ruled out, with Kai Havertz finishing off a move that was disallowed after Jamal Musiala was judged to have fouled Odilon Kossounou in the build-up.

After a sluggish restart, Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann responded with a triple substitution on the hour mark. The Germans almost equalised soon after, with Kai Havertz seeing his header drift narrowly wide of the target.

But after 68 minutes, two of the substitutes combined for the breakthrough, as Nadiem Amiri swung in a cross that Deniz Undav met to make it 1-1.

Ivory Coast came close to winning it late on when Simon Adingra found space in the box, but hesitated and Germany cleared the danger.

At the other end, Nathaniel Brown was denied by a strong save from Fofana, before Nadiem Amiri forced another late stop.

It looked as though the game would end level, but Deniz Undav struck again in the closing stages. The VfB Stuttgart forward latched onto a precise pass from Felix Nmecha and finished to make it 2–1 and win the game.

With the win, Germany remain top of Group E on six points, three ahead of Ivory Coast. Ecuador and Curacao, both on zero points, meet overnight between Saturday and Sunday (CEST).