EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Deniz Undav had three goals and two assists in the first 69 minutes of the game. world cupHis average goal contribution of 13.8 minutes is higher than Lionel Messi (37.4 goals), Kylian Mbappé (48.8 goals) and Erling Haaland (51.2 goals).
And the 29-year-old striker is yet to earn a place in Germany’s starting XI.
“If I wasn’t happy, if I wasn’t happy, I wouldn’t be here,” he said at a press conference on Wednesday ahead of Germany’s final group stage game against Ecuador. “I accept that role.”
Germany is recovering from the backlash Consecutive group stage losses rear Won fourth title in 2014. Die Mannschaft advanced through Group E and will begin the final round against the third-place team, likely Paraguay or Australia, on Monday in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
Germany will be aiming for 12 consecutive wins, matching the team record set in 1979-80, while Ecuador have one point and will need a win to have a chance of advancing to the knockout stages.
Germany national team coach Julian Nagelsmann said he was only planning to make mandatory changes to the squad. Defender Nico Schlotterbeck will miss the rest of the tournament Left-back Nathaniel Brown, who tore his left ankle ligament in Saturday’s game against Ivory Coast, is out with an adductor problem. Antonio Rudiger and David Raum are likely to replace him.
“We want to be ready for the knockout phase,” Nagelsmann said. “We all say that Deniz really deserves to start, but we have an idea and we will discuss it with Deniz and the other players and tomorrow we will make the necessary rotations.”
Unduff reached the top level in his later years.
Unduff played for Haverse, Braunschweig and Meppen in the German lower league from 2017 to 2020, before joining Union Saint Giroise in Belgium’s second division, where he helped the club win promotion. He made his debut with Brighton in the English Premier League in the 2022-23 season and moved to Stuttgart in the 2023-24 season.
Unduff, who is completing his third season at Stuttgart, finished second in the Bundesliga last season with 19 goals, behind Harry Kane’s 36 goals. He made his debut in Germany in March 2024 and has scored nine goals in 11 international games, although he has only started three of them.
He came on from 64 minutes. The opening game was a 7-1 victory over Curacao. He scored one goal and provided two assists, coming on in the 60th minute against Ivory Coast and scoring twice in Die Mannschaft’s counterattack. 2-1 victory.
Nagelsmann apologized earlier this spring for comments he made after Undahu scored the equalizer in the 88th minute in a friendly against Ghana in March, when he started the second half. Coach Nagelsmann said that Unduff did not have the stamina needed to start, but he scored because his legs were still fresh.
“It doesn’t matter if I’m in the starting lineup or beyond,” Unduff said, sitting next to his coach. “It’s important for the team to win, and I came off the bench twice and won the game. I’m very happy about that.”
Neuer remains in goal
Nagelsmann is also expected to remain, along with 40-year-old goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who returned to the national team for the World Cup after two years, replacing Oliver Baumann. Nagelsmann said goalkeeping coach Andreas Kronenberg had discussed the decision with Bauman.
“Oliver really got it,” Nagelsmann said. “I completely understand from the human side. It’s obvious if you just approach it that way, but we have to look at the big picture. It’s not always fun to make these decisions, but those decisions have to be made.”
Missing letter V
Adidas, the German team’s equipment supplier, quickly ran out of the V due to the popularity of fans demanding jerseys for Undaz, Kai Havertz and Aleksandar Pavlovic. The supply was then replenished.
“My friends and family already have jerseys. I really didn’t have to order anything new,” Andav said. “I’m very honored.”
Ecuador on the verge of defeat
Ecuador entered the game unbeaten in 19 games, but conceded a goal in the 90th minute when they were ahead. Lost to Ivory Coast 0-1. John Yeboah and Alan Minda hit the crossbar in the first half against the Elephants, clinching a 28-10 victory over Curaçao. 0-0 drawthwarted by Eloy Room’s 15 saves.
“We are confident that we have a chance to achieve our goal,” Ecuador coach Sebastian Beccasse said. “If you win, you’ll feel happy; if you don’t, you’ll feel sad. That’s your life.”
Beccases’ family faces off at Arrowhead Stadium
The Ecuadorian national team coach said his family confronted irate supporters after Saturday’s game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.
“I talked to my wife and daughters. They told me what happened. I didn’t see it,” he said. “The first thing I asked was, did something serious happen? They said no. Nothing. And at the end of the day, I interpreted this as the fans being hurt by the outcome and the daughter defending her father. I think everyone should be able to express their thoughts without reaching this level of conflict.”
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