TORONTO (AP) — In the first hour of play, Germany was overwhelmed by Ivory Coast and trailing by a single point.
Coach Julian Nagelsmann needed some inspiration and introduced three fresh players as substitutes, one of which was Deniz Undav. This decision brought great results.
On Saturday, Germany defeated Ivory Coast 2-1, with Unduff scoring twice, clinching a place in the knockout stages. world cup.
“It’s important for everyone to understand that even players on the bench can decide the game,” said Unduff, who is also a scorer. Germany’s opening game was defeated by Curaçao 7-1.. “Right now we are sending a very important signal to the team, and I think that is very important in a game like this.”
Four minutes into stoppage time, Undahu received a pass from Felix Nmeka in front of the net and fired a shot past Ivorian goalkeeper Yahia Fofana to give the Germans a come-from-behind victory. This was the German national team’s 11th consecutive victory, and the first consecutive victory since September 2025.
Undahu’s first goal of the match came in the 68th minute when Nadiem Amiri sent a long ball through to striker Kai Havertz, who smashed the ball into Undahu’s boot. Amiri and Undav both came on as substitutes eight minutes earlier.
“Deniz is not someone you need to prepare for,” Nagelsmann said. “He can jump right in.”
Four-time champions Germany bounced back from disappointing group stage exits in 2018 and 2022, while Ivory Coast are still aiming for their first knockout stage appearance and could still qualify. The last time Germany made it past the group stage was in 2014.
“I think I showed great character today,” Unduff said. “We want to achieve the maximum.”
Ivory Coast captain Franck Kessie opened the scoring in the 30th minute when midfielder Yann Diomande sent a cross to forward Amad Diallo. His shot was blocked by Germany’s Nathaniel Braun, but the ball rebounded to Kessie, who slotted it into the left corner of the goal.
Germany conceded two goals in a frustrating first half. The first came in the 21st minute when Fofana hit the ball into his own net, but during the play Germany midfielder Aleksandar Pavlovic made illegal contact with Fofana.
The second goal came in the 38th minute when Jamal Musiala was called for contact in the build-up to Havertz’s goal and was fouled.
Ivorian striker Eli Wahi, who was investigated for gambling-related offenses while playing in Nice, France, did not play after a court battle over his entry into Canada.
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Lexi Linderman is a student at Penn State’s John Curley Center for Sports Journalism.
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AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/fifa-world-cup
