Germany's Joker topples Elephants – Undav took Germany through in half an hour

A match that promised plenty even before kickoff certainly delivered. The clash between the European and African giants had everything. It looked as though Ivory Coast would come away with the win, but then Deniz Undav happened. Germany’s super-sub made the difference, reacting brilliantly to two chances and scoring twice to secure a 2-1 victory for his side. With this result, Germany can already start preparing for the knockout stage, while Ivory Coast will be fighting for qualification in their final group match against Curacao.

Ivory Coast head into halftime with a surprise 1-0 lead over Germany after a disciplined and effective first-half display.

The Germans almost made the perfect start, creating an opportunity within the opening 30 seconds. Kai Havertz won a header from a long ball before quickly turning and firing a shot from inside the penalty area, but his effort sailed a few yards over the crossbar.

Germany continued to push forward and came close again in the 10th minute. Kimmich delivered an excellent ball into the box, where Havertz rose highest to meet it with a powerful header. However, goalkeeper Fofana was alert and produced a fine save to keep the score level.

Julian Nagelsmann's side remained on the front foot, with Jamal Musiala trying his luck from around 20 meters in the 18th minute. The Bayern Munich star found some space outside the area but could not keep his effort on target.

Musiala in action (©Getty Images)

Three minutes later, Germany thought they had found the breakthrough. Pavlovic managed to beat Fofana and put the ball in the net, only for the celebrations to be cut short as the referee spotted a foul in the build-up and disallowed the goal.

Having weathered the early pressure, Ivory Coast struck against the run of play in the 30th minute. The move began with a cross from Diomande that eventually found Amad Diallo. Although Brown managed to block the initial danger, the ball fell kindly to Kessie, who reacted quickest and calmly slotted past Manuel Neuer to give the African side a 1-0 advantage.

Ivory Coast nearly doubled their lead eight minutes later with a dangerous counter-attack. Diomande surged forward before picking out Bony in space, but Neuer came to Germany's rescue with an important save to prevent further damage.

Germany continued searching for an equalizer and created one final opening deep into stoppage time. Nmecha played a clever pass to Florian Wirtz, who drove forward into the box, but his finish lacked power and went straight into the hands of Fofana.

After an entertaining opening 45 minutes, Ivory Coast take a narrow but valuable 1-0 lead into the break, while Germany are left to reflect on missed opportunities and a strong performance from the Ivorian goalkeeper.

The Germans started the second period with greater urgency and almost found an immediate equalizer in the 48th minute. Musiala was played through on the left side of the penalty area and cut inside before firing toward goal, but a deflection sent his effort wide and Ivory Coast comfortably dealt with the resulting corner.

However, it was the African side that continued to look more threatening during the opening stages of the half. In the 51st minute, Amad Diallo produced a dangerous run down the right wing before cutting the ball back for Oulai, whose powerful strike flew over Manuel Neuer's crossbar.

Ivory Coast kept pushing forward and nearly doubled their advantage four minutes later. Another promising attack ended with Diomande attempting a volley inside the box, but he failed to connect cleanly and the effort drifted wide of the target.

Germany struggled to create clear-cut chances, but they came close in the 63rd minute from a set piece. Following a corner, goalkeeper Fofana misjudged the flight of the ball and completely missed it, leaving Kai Havertz with a golden opportunity. The Arsenal forward, though, could not take advantage and headed narrowly wide of the post.

Just when Germany appeared to be running out of ideas, their substitutes combined to produce the breakthrough in the 68th minute. Amiri delivered an excellent cross from the right into the six-yard box, where Deniz Undav reacted quickest and guided the ball into the net to level the score at 1-1.

The equalizer shifted the momentum, but Ivory Coast were then dealt a potentially serious blow when Singo was forced off through injury. The defender appeared to be in visible discomfort after taking his place on the bench, raising concerns about his availability for the remainder of the tournament.

Undav tried to get on the scoresheet once again in the 86th minute, opting for a shot from around 25 meters out, but the opposing goalkeeper managed to keep it out, albeit with a bit of difficulty.

Two minutes before the end of normal time, Ivory Coast had a huge opportunity when Pepe released Adingra on a counter-attack. The winger found himself alone inside the penalty area, but instead of shooting, he chose to take on a defender and ended up wasting the chance. Just moments later at the other end, Brown also came close, firing from the edge of the box, but Fofana produced a brilliant save to keep the scores level.

Just when everyone thought this match would end in a draw, Undav stepped up once again! Nmecha delivered a superb pass to Undav, who positioned himself perfectly and found the back of the net, securing a huge victory for Germany and three points that send them through to the next stage of the tournament.

WORLD CUP - GROUP STAGE (ROUND 2)

Group E

Saturday 20.06.

Germany - Ivory Coast 2-1 (0-1)

/Undav 68, 90+4 - Kessie 30/

Sunday 21.06.

03.00: (1.12) Ecuador (9.50) Curacao (19.0)