Relief in the 94th Minute

Germany had to fight hard against Ivory Coast before Deniz Undav secured a 2–1 win deep into stoppage time. The result sends the DFB team into the knockout stage early – and, thanks to Ecuador’s 0–0 draw with Curaçao, even confirms them as group winners.

Deniz Undav became Germany’s matchwinner against Ivory Coast: brought on as a substitute, he scored the equalizer and then the stoppage-time winner.

After the 7-1 win over Curaçao, expectations were high. But Germany’s second World Cup match was anything but a walkover. Against Ivory Coast, Julian Nagelsmann’s team had to suffer, fell behind, looked shaky at times - and still ended the night with six points, a place in the knockout round and even top spot in Group E.

The African champions made it clear early on that this would be a very different test. Strong physically, quick in transition and brave down the wings, Ivory Coast repeatedly caused problems for Germany’s defense. In the 30th minute, they were rewarded: after a move created down the left by Yan Diomande, the ball fell to Franck Kessié, who made it 1-0. Germany had chances before that and even put the ball in the net twice, but both goals were ruled out for fouls in the build-up.

At halftime, Germany were trailing - unfamiliar territory after their dominant opener. Nagelsmann reacted after an hour, bringing on Deniz Undav, Jamie Leweling and Nadiem Amiri. The changes did not immediately transform the game, but they added exactly the right quality in the penalty area. In the 68th minute, Amiri delivered a dangerous cross, Undav had slipped away from his marker and volleyed the ball into the net for 1-1.

Even after that, the match stayed on edge. Ivory Coast had a chance to win it themselves, while Germany were denied several times by goalkeeper Yahia Fofana. The decision finally came in stoppage time. Felix Nmecha played a sharp vertical pass, Undav controlled it superbly, turned away from his defender and finished for 2-1. In the 90th+4 minute, a difficult night became a German celebration.

Undav has now fully arrived in this tournament. He had already made an impact off the bench against Curaçao, and now he turned a match that could easily have slipped away from Germany. Reuters notes that he has scored nine goals in his last eight international appearances - numbers that will inevitably make the debate about a starting spot louder.

Group E had a second twist later that night. Curaçao held Ecuador to a 0-0 draw, largely thanks to goalkeeper Eloy Room, who according to Reuters made 15 saves and earned the smallest nation ever to play at a World Cup its first point. That result means Germany are already confirmed as group winners before their final match against Ecuador. Ivory Coast remain on three points and will face Curaçao in a decisive final group game. For the ProXES betting game, the message is clear: Germany delivers points, but not without drama. And Group E still has stories left to tell.