Trending 
Germany booked their place in the World Cup knockout stage for the first time since their 2014 triumph with a tense 2–1 comeback win over Ivory Coast on Saturday in Toronto.
Substitute Deniz Undav emerged as the hero, scoring twice — including a decisive strike four minutes into injury time — to seal victory in front of a heavily pro-German crowd of 43,000. The result ended Germany’s long wait for progression beyond the group stage, a hurdle they had failed to clear in the previous two tournaments.
Coach Julian Nagelsmann said Undav’s impact could not be overstated, describing the finishing as decisive and leaving open the possibility that the forward could start the next match against Ecuador.
Ivory Coast had taken the lead in the 30th minute through Franck Kessie, who finished from close range after impressive work from teenage winger Yan Diomande. The Germans thought they had equalised twice in the first half, but both efforts were ruled out — one for a foul on goalkeeper Yahia Fofana and another for an infringement involving Jamal Musiala.
Germany’s pressure eventually told in the second half, with Undav volleying home Nadiem Amiri’s cross before completing the comeback late on from a Felix Nmecha assist.
Jonathan Tah praised the team’s resilience, highlighting the squad’s mentality and the impact of substitutes in turning the match around, as Germany finally broke their recent World Cup disappointment streak.
