Germany beat Ivory Coast and reach last 32

Substitute Deniz Undav scored twice, including a late winner, as Germany rallied to beat the Ivory Coast 2-1 at Toronto Stadium on Saturday, and moved to the round of 32 of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Germany went to the top of Group E with six points and have reached the knockout stage for the first time since they won the title in 2014. While the Ivory Coast remain on three after two matches.

Ecuador and Curacao meet in Kansas City later on Saturday.
In the 21st minute, Germany’s Aleksandar Pavlovic found the back of the net, but the goal was disallowed.

The German midfielder rose highest to meet the corner and bundled the ball home after clattering into the Ivory Coast goalkeeper Yahia Fofana.

Kessie put the African side ahead in the 30th minute of the match, after a brilliant piece of wing play from Yan Diomande The 19-year-old beat the opposition man on the left before passing the ball into the area, where Amad Diallo received it and had a go at the goal before Kessie poked home.

Germany looked the dominant side in the first half but could not find a breakthrough, with two goals being disallowed, one for a foul and the other after a VAR review.

Kai Havertz went close to scoring in the 64th minute after connecting with Joshua Kimmich’s delivery, but he failed to steer his header on target.

Germany drew level in the 68th minute after Undav scored after coming off the bench, capitalising on the cross from fellow substitute Nadiem Amiri.

Ivory Coast were forced into a change late in the game as Wilfried Singo tweaked his hamstring while battling for possession with Kai Havertz. The former was replaced by Guela Doue in the 82nd minute.

Denis Undav broke Ivory Coast fans’ hearts as he latched onto a pass from Felix Nmecha, swivelled, and smashed the ball past Fofana for his second goal of the match in the stoppage time.