Undav's Late Double Secures Dramatic Comeback for Germany, Clinching Knockout Berth
Germany's last-gasp victory over Ivory Coast sends them into the Round of 32, while Tunisia becomes the latest team eliminated.
The story
Germany secured a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over Ivory Coast in a thrilling Group E encounter at Toronto Stadium, with substitute Deniz Undav scoring a 94th-minute winner. Ivory Coast had taken a surprise 1-0 lead in the first half through Franck Kessié.
Germany struggled to find an equalizer until Undav, brought on from the bench, volleyed home in the 68th minute to level the score. As the match seemed destined for a draw, Undav struck again deep into stoppage time from Felix Nmecha's pass, clinching all three points for Germany.
This hard-fought win ensures Germany's progression to the knockout stages of the World Cup with a game to spare, marking a significant turnaround from their recent tournament exits. The Elephants, despite a spirited performance, now face a crucial final group game to keep their World Cup dreams alive.
Yesterday's results
| Match | Score | Key |
|---|---|---|
| Turkiye vs Paraguay | 0-1 | Matías Galarza scored early for 10-man Paraguay; Turkiye eliminated. |
| Netherlands vs Sweden | 5-1 | Braces from Brian Brobbey and Cody Gakpo powered the Dutch to a dominant win. |
| Germany vs Ivory Coast | 2-1 | Deniz Undav's late double sealed a comeback victory for Germany, securing their knockout spot. |
| Ecuador vs Curacao | 0-0 | Eloy Room's 15 saves earned Curaçao their first-ever World Cup point. |
| Tunisia vs Japan | 0-4 | Japan's commanding win eliminated Tunisia from the tournament in the 1000th World Cup match. |
Where it stands
The latest World Cup results have significantly impacted several groups. In Group D, the USA has secured the top spot with 6 points, while Turkiye, with 0 points, has been eliminated.
Australia and Paraguay, both on 3 points, will vie for the second qualification spot. Germany's dramatic win against Ivory Coast means they have qualified for the Round of 32 from Group E, sitting on 6 points.
Ivory Coast has 3 points, while Ecuador and Curaçao each have 1 point after their draw, keeping their slim hopes alive. In Group F, the Netherlands and Japan are now joint leaders with 4 points each, following their convincing wins. Sweden is close behind with 3 points, while Tunisia has been eliminated after two heavy defeats.
What we'll be watching
- Spain vs Saudi Arabia (World Cup Group H) — June 21, 20:00 UTC, Atlanta
- Belgium vs Iran (World Cup Group G) — June 21, 23:00 UTC, Los Angeles
- Uruguay vs Cape Verde (World Cup Group H) — June 22, 04:00 UTC, Miami
- New Zealand vs Egypt (World Cup Group G) — June 22, 05:00 UTC, Vancouver
- Argentina vs Austria (World Cup Group J) — June 22, 17:00 UTC, Arlington
- France vs Iraq (World Cup Group I) — June 23, 01:00 UTC, Philadelphia
Reporting + analyst voices: grounded via Google Search at publish time.