Germany battled back from behind to beat Ivory Coast 2-1 at BMO Field in Toronto in a thrilling Group E clash that was only settled in the dying seconds of stoppage time. (Sky Sports)
Kessie's early shock
Ivory Coast captain Franck Kessie put the Elephants ahead in the 30th minute, turning home a loose ball after Simon Adingra (Diomande) beat Joshua Kimmich to the byline and Amad Diallo's initial effort was blocked. (Al Jazeera)
Undav's dramatic double
Substitute Deniz Undav levelled in the 68th minute with a clinical volley from a Nadiem Amiri cross, then struck again in the 94th minute, finishing off a pass from Felix Nmecha to snatch a dramatic winner. It was Undav's second straight World Cup game scoring off the bench. (Opta Analyst)
What it means
The win confirms Germany's place in the round of 32, ending a 12-year wait to navigate the group stage with such authority after disappointing recent tournaments. Ivory Coast, despite the spirited display, must now win their final group match to keep their qualification hopes alive.
A tactical wobble Germany will need to fix
The match exposed defensive fragility in transition, with Ivory Coast repeatedly exploiting space behind Joshua Kimmich on the flank. Germany dominated possession for long stretches but lacked a clear attacking plan in the first half, prompting the head coach to turn to his bench at exactly the right moment — a substitution that ultimately decided the game.
Ivory Coast leave with credit, but work to do
Despite the late heartbreak, Ivory Coast showed they can compete with one of the tournament favourites for long periods. The Elephants will now need a strong result in their final group fixture, and may have to watch the other Group E match closely to work out the precise qualification scenario through the expanded 48-team format's third-place route. Follow Malaab Al-An for full World Cup 2026 coverage.