Undav strikes late as Germany edge out determined Ivory Coast

Group E

Germany 2-1 Ivory Coast 

A brace by substitute Deniz Undav fired Germany to a last-gasp 2-1 win over Ivory Coast to secure their place in the last 32 of the World Cup.

Julian Nagelsmann’s team had inflicted a six-goal thrashing on Curacao in their opening game of the tournament, but faced defeat at Toronto Stadium after Franck Kessie scored in the 30th minute.

Ivory Coast were full value for their advantage, but Nagelsmann’s mid-game tweaks turned the tide in the favour of Germany after substitutes Nadiem Amiri and Undav combined for a 68th-minute leveller before the latter struck deep into stoppage time to claim the points.

Germany scored seven times in their World Cup opener and set about with the same intent in Toronto after Kai Havertz hooked over immediately after kick-off.

Arsenal forward Havertz was thwarted by Ivory Coast goalkeeper Yahia Fofana soon after before Nico Schlotterbeck required treatment.

With Schlotterbeck able to continue, Germany continued to press and after Jamal Musiala fired wide, Aleksandar Pavlovic had the ball in the net midway through the first half, but it was ruled out for a foul on Fofana.

After an initial backs-to-the-wall effort, Ivory Coast started to show more ambition and went ahead in the 30th minute.

Yan Diomande burst down the left and produced a dangerous cross, which Amad Diallo could not convert after Nathaniel Brown blocked on the line, but Kessie stabbed home to stun Germany.

Havertz had a goal disallowed soon after before Emerse Fae watched Ivory Coast begin the second period strongly.

Christ Inao Oulai lifted over a presentable chance before Diomande dragged a volley wide.

Nagelsmann rolled the dice on the hour mark with a triple substitution.

Amiri, Jamie Leweling and Undav were introduced and two combined to level with 22 minutes left.

After Amiri was afforded too much time on the right, he served up a wonderful curled delivery for Undav to convert with a controlled volley.

Frustration boiled over in the 80th minute when Wilfried Singo suffered a muscle injury, but walked back onto the pitch to go down, which sparked an angry reaction from Nagelsmann.

A frantic finish followed with Simon Adingra wasteful in an excellent position before Brown and Amiri were denied by Fofana.

There was still time for Germany to grab a dramatic winner in the fourth minute of stoppage time when Felix Nmecha passed into Undav, who controlled and fired home to clinch a 2-1 win.