Toronto, Jun 21 (V7N) – Germany ended years of World Cup disappointment by securing a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over Ivory Coast on Saturday, booking their place in the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup for the first time since lifting the trophy in Brazil in 2014.
The victory also saw the four-time world champions surpass Brazil as the highest-scoring nation in FIFA World Cup history, taking their all-time tally to 241 goals.
Germany endured a frustrating opening half at Toronto's BMO Field. Ivory Coast took the lead in the 30th minute when Franck Kessie finished from close range after a brilliant setup by Yan Diomande. Germany thought they had equalised twice before the break, but goals from Aleksandar Pavlovic and Kai Havertz were both ruled out for fouls.
Seeking a response, head coach Julian Nagelsmann introduced striker Deniz Undav in the second half, and the substitution proved decisive.
Undav restored parity in the 68th minute with a superb volley from Nadiem Amiri's cross before producing the decisive moment deep into stoppage time. In the 94th minute, Felix Nmecha's pass found the Stuttgart forward, who calmly fired home the winner with his right foot to spark wild celebrations among the German supporters in Toronto.
The dramatic win erased the bitter memories of Germany's group-stage exits at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups and ensured Die Mannschaft's return to the knockout rounds after a 12-year wait.
Following the match, Germany defender Jonathan Tah praised his teammates' resilience.
"We had everything today. Nobody gave up," Tah said after the final whistle.
Despite the defeat, Ivory Coast remain in contention for a place in the Round of 32. A victory over Curaçao in their final Group E fixture would keep alive their hopes of reaching the knockout stage for the first time in the nation's history.
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