Germany 2 – 1 Ivory Coast

Deniz Undav’s 94th-minute goal sent Germany into the World Cup’s knockout stages in a 2-1 win over Ivory Coast in Group E.

Substitute Undav clinically dispatched the winner from a Felix Nmachar pass before volleying in Nadeem Amiri’s cross to cancel out Ivory Coast captain Frank Casey’s opener.

Germany looked headed for a shock defeat before the former Brighton striker’s 60th-minute introduction but his goal, which took him to nine in 11 appearances for his country, meant they joined the United States and Mexico in reaching the knockouts with a game to spare.

Ivory Coast, winners against Ecuador in their opener, were the better team in the first half, inspired by Liverpool target Ian Diomande, who set up Casey’s goal with a burst of pace and low cross, but the defeat means they still have work to do to qualify.

Highlights from Toronto…

• 10: Save! Yahya Fofana makes a good save to stop Kai Havertz’s header
• 22: Goal out! Aleksandar Pavlovic forces a corner over the line but the goalkeeper is penalized for a foul.
• 30: Goal! Diomande’s wicked low cross allows KC to score
• 39: Goal out! Germany were denied again after Havertz’s goal was disallowed for a foul on Jamal Musial
• 60: Germany introduce Undav as part of a triple change
• 68: Goal! Undav volleys Amiri’s superb center to level it
• 90+4: Goal! Undav sends the winner to wild Germany celebrations

In Pic: Undav’s match-winning moment

Analysis: Germany’s ace up its sleeve Undav?

Deniz Undav failed to make much of a mark in the Premier League, scoring a total of five goals in 22 appearances for Brighton in the 2022/23 season. But his match-winning double against Ivory Coast followed a goal and two assists against Curacao.

His influence should come as no surprise.

The 29-year-old came off the back of an impressive campaign for Stuttgart at the tournament which saw him score 25 goals in 46 games in all competitions and his international scoring record is even more impressive, especially given the way he usually plays from the bench.

He is a late bloomer. He made his senior international debut just two years ago at the age of 27. But in a squad that features more famous names, he is showing himself to be Germany’s real difference maker with an early push for the Golden Boot.

Neville: That’s what Germany does

Gary Neville to say ITV: “In the first 10 or 15 minutes of the second half, Ivory Coast should have stopped playing.

“But that’s exactly what Germany does. They’ve ruined my life on more than one occasion.

“You have to hand it to Germany there. They were struggling in parts of that match.

“They stuck with it, perseverance, resilience and they got there in the end. That’s what Germany is.”

What does the result mean?