Shafaqna Pakistan: Substitute Deniz Undav became Germany’s match-winner after scoring a dramatic 94th-minute goal to complete a remarkable comeback victory over Ivory Coast and secure his team’s place in the World Cup knockout stages.
The four-time champions faced a difficult challenge after falling behind in the 30th minute through Ivory Coast captain Franck Kessie. Seeking a turnaround, Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann turned to his substitutes, and Undav responded with a decisive second-half brace.
The Stuttgart forward levelled the match in the 68th minute with a composed finish from fellow substitute Nadiem Amiri’s cross before scoring the winning goal deep into stoppage time to hand Ivory Coast a painful defeat.
Undav had also impressed in Germany’s opening 7-1 victory over Curacao, scoring once and providing two assists after coming on as a substitute.
The dejected Ivorians can still progress from Group E behind Germany with a win against World Cup debutants Curacao in their final game.
Emerse Fae’s side impressed with their energy and directness early on in Toronto, but it was Germany who carved out the clearer of chances.
The Germans had the ball in the back of net in the 22nd minute through Aleksandar Pavlovic but his header from a corner was ruled out for a foul on goalkeeper Yahia Fofana.
Ivory Coast then took the lead as their exciting 19-year-old winger Yan Diomande found Amad Diallo, whose close-range effort was blocked by Nathaniel Brown only for Kessie to convert the rebound.
Germany’s frustration grew as Havertz had a goal disallowed for a foul on Emmanuel Agbadou by Jamal Musiala in the build-up while an unmarked Christ Inao Oulai and Kessie spurned chances to double the Ivorians’ lead.
Those misses ultimately proved costly as they were undone by the injury-time winner from Undav.
Fofana had kept out efforts from Brown and Amiri late on but there was nothing he could do as Undav expertly trapped a pass from Felix Nmecha and slotted past the goalkeeper on the turn to break the Ivorian hearts in the dying seconds.
Source: Dunya News
