Germany are through to the knockout round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 after a dramatic comeback victory over Côte d'Ivoire, winning 2-1 at BMO Field in Toronto on Saturday. Substitute Deniz Undav was the hero, scoring twice in the second half to overturn a deficit and seal the win deep into stoppage time.

Kessié puts the Elephants ahead

Germany dominated the opening exchanges, with Kai Havertz testing goalkeeper Yahia Fofana as early as the first minute and again with a header in the 10th minute, set up by Joshua Kimmich. Jamal Musiala and Felix Nmecha also threatened, but Côte d'Ivoire's backline held firm.

Against the run of play, Franck Kessié broke the deadlock in the 30th minute, driving a right-footed shot from the centre of the box into the bottom left corner. The strike came moments after Amad Diallo had a close-range effort blocked. Germany pressed for an equaliser before the break, with Florian Wirtz forcing another save from Fofana in the seventh minute of first-half stoppage time, but the sides went in at the interval with Côte d'Ivoire leading 1-0.

Germany's Antonio Rüdiger entered the fray at half-time, replacing the injured Nico Schlotterbeck.

Undav turns the game on its head

Germany made a triple substitution shortly after the hour mark, introducing Undav, Nadiem Amiri, and Jamie Leweling. The changes transformed the match. In the 68th minute, Undav levelled with a close-range left-footed finish into the top of the goal, assisted by a cross from Amiri.

Côte d'Ivoire responded, bringing on Evann Guessand, Seko Fofana, and Simon Adingra in the 75th minute as the contest entered a gripping final stretch. Chances fell at both ends — Seko Fofana had a shot blocked, while Undav and substitute Nathaniel Brown were each denied by Yahia Fofana as Germany continued to press.

With six minutes of stoppage time signalled, Germany found their winner. In the 90+4th minute, Undav struck again — a left-footed shot from the centre of the box into the bottom left corner — completing the comeback and sending Germany into the next round.