Côte d'Ivoire produced one of the performances of the 2026 FIFA World Cup — only to be denied a famous victory when Deniz Undav struck twice to hand Germany a 2-1 win in Group E at Toronto Stadium, with the second goal coming in the 94th minute of stoppage time.

Franck Kessié had given the Elephants a deserved first-half lead, and Emerse Faé's side defended bravely and competed hard throughout against the four-time world champions. For long stretches, a historic result appeared within reach.

Instead, Germany's ruthless finishing proved the difference — and Côte d'Ivoire must now beat Curaçao in Philadelphia to advance to the round of 32.

Kessié fires the Elephants in front

Germany applied early pressure but found goalkeeper Yahia Fofana in commanding form. Fofana denied Kai Havertz in the opening exchanges and gave his defenders the confidence to hold firm. Germany also had a goal disallowed early on after Aleksandar Pavlovic was penalised for a challenge on Fofana.

Côte d'Ivoire grew as the half progressed, finding space through direct running and pace on the counter. The breakthrough arrived in the 30th minute when Yan Diomandé drove down the left and cut a low ball into the area. Amad Diallo could not make clean contact, but Kessié reacted quickest and drove the loose ball past Manuel Neuer.

The goal was a fair reflection of Côte d'Ivoire's growing authority. Eight minutes later, Ange-Yoan Bonny almost doubled the lead on the break, forcing Neuer into a sharp save with a curling effort.

Germany thought they had equalised before half-time through Havertz, but VAR overturned the goal after detecting a foul by Jamal Musiala on Odilon Kossounou in the build-up. The Elephants went into the interval with their lead intact — and with genuine belief.

Missed chance and the turning point

The pivotal moment arrived early in the second half. With Germany still searching for rhythm, Christ Inao Oulai was played in cleanly by Diallo in the 51st minute and had a clear chance to make it 2-0. His effort cleared the bar, and that miss would cast a long shadow over the rest of the evening.

Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann introduced attacking substitutions around the hour mark, reshaping the game's momentum. The fresh legs added energy and gradually eroded Côte d'Ivoire's midfield control.

In the 68th minute, Nadiem Amiri helped fashion an opening and Undav finished calmly past Fofana to level at 1-1. Germany grew in confidence; Côte d'Ivoire had to dig deep to stay in the match.

Late drama and a cruel ending

Faé responded by sending on Evann Guessand, Datro Fofana, Simon Adingra, and Nicolas Pépé in search of a winner. The Elephants almost found it in the 88th minute when Pépé delivered a precise ball to Adingra at the far post, but the Monaco winger chose to control rather than shoot first time, allowing Germany to scramble clear.

Fofana kept his side alive with important saves from Nathaniel Brown and then Amiri at the other end. Côte d'Ivoire were further unsettled when Wilfried Singo was forced off late with a hamstring complaint following a challenge involving Havertz, and Yan Diomandé also required substitution.

Germany delivered the crushing blow in added time. Felix Nmecha broke forward and released Undav in behind the Ivorian defence. The striker kept his composure and finished clinically to complete the turnaround in the 94th minute — a devastating moment for a side that had been seconds from a hard-earned point against one of the tournament's favourites.

Curaçao match now decides Côte d'Ivoire's fate

The result takes Germany to six points and confirms their place in the round of 32. Nagelsmann's side will face Ecuador in a dead-rubber final group game.

For Côte d'Ivoire, the defeat stings because the performance merited far more. Yet the Elephants remain alive. Their final Group E fixture against Curaçao in Philadelphia next Thursday is now effectively a knockout match — win and advance, or go home.

Faé's players have already shown they belong at this level, having beaten Ecuador in their opening match before pushing Germany to the very limit. Against Germany, Côte d'Ivoire demonstrated courage, discipline, and ambition. At the 2026 FIFA World Cup, however, fine margins decide everything — and on this night, those margins were cruelly against them.