Deniz Undav (C) of Germany celebrate scoring during the group E match between Germany and Cote d'Ivoire at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Toronto Stadium in Toronto, Canada, on June 20, 2026. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)
TORONTO, June 20 (Xinhua) -- Germany moved into the next stage of FIFA World Cup with one round to spare, as substitute Deniz Undav scored a pair of goals in the second half to give Die Mannschaft a 2-1 comeback win against Cote d'Ivoire in Group E match here on Saturday.
The 29-year-old Undav came into the game as part of a triple substitution in the 60th minute and equalized the score in the 68th minute after Cote d'Ivoire took a 1-0 lead in the 30th minute thanks to Franck Kessie.
In the fourth minute of stoppage time, Undav grabbed winner and his third goal of a tournament after receiving a pass from Felix Nmecha.
Undav also came off the bench in the second half and scored a goal in the team's dominant 7-1 opening match against Curacao.
After two games, Germany leads of the group with six points and guarantees a place in the knockout rounds, joining co-hosts the United States and Mexico.
Germany wraps up its group stage against Ecuador on June 25, while Cote d'Ivoire, who currently sits second in the group with three points, faces Curacao with the hopes of reaching the knockout stage for the first time ever. ■
Nathaniel Brown (R) of Germany vies with Wilfried Singo of Cote d'Ivoire during the group E match between Germany and Cote d'Ivoire at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Toronto Stadium in Toronto, Canada, on June 20, 2026. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)
Felix Nmecha (L) of Germany vies with Ibrahim Sangare of Cote d'Ivoire during the group E match between Germany and Cote d'Ivoire at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Toronto Stadium in Toronto, Canada, on June 20, 2026. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)
Deniz Undav (1st R) of Germany scores a goal during the group E match between Germany and Cote d'Ivoire at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Toronto Stadium in Toronto, Canada, on June 20, 2026. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)
Deniz Undav (R) of Germany scores a goal during the group E match between Germany and Cote d'Ivoire at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Toronto Stadium in Toronto, Canada, on June 20, 2026. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)
Deniz Undav (1st R, front) of Germany scores a goal during the group E match between Germany and Cote d'Ivoire at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Toronto Stadium in Toronto, Canada, on June 20, 2026. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)
Deniz Undav (L) and Nadiem Amiri of Germany celebrate after the group E match between Germany and Cote d'Ivoire at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Toronto Stadium in Toronto, Canada, on June 20, 2026. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)
Fans of Cote d'Ivoire cheer before the group E match between Germany and Cote d'Ivoire at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Toronto Stadium in Toronto, Canada, on June 20, 2026. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)
Kai Havertz (L) of Germany vies with Wilfried Singo of Cote d'Ivoire during the group E match between Germany and Cote d'Ivoire at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Toronto Stadium in Toronto, Canada, on June 20, 2026. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)
Deniz Undav (L) of Germany celebrate scoring with his teammate during the group E match between Germany and Cote d'Ivoire at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Toronto Stadium in Toronto, Canada, on June 20, 2026. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)
Members of team Germany celebrate after the group E match between Germany and Cote d'Ivoire at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Toronto Stadium in Toronto, Canada, on June 20, 2026. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)
