Germany entered their final group match against Ivory Coast knowing that a win would guarantee progression to the knockout round, while the Africans aimed to finish the group stage on a high note.
The opening half saw both sides create chances, but Germany had two legitimate goals ruled out for fouls, leaving the score level at the break.
Kessie opens the scoring
Ivory Coast broke the deadlock in the 30th minute when Franck Kessie finished a swift counter‑attack, giving the Africans a 1‑0 lead that steadied the contest.
Undav’s comeback
Deniz Undav emerged after the interval and equalised in the 68th minute, meeting Nadiem Amiri’s pass with a clinical finish that shifted momentum firmly toward Germany.
The late drama unfolded in stoppage time when Undav, again assisted by Felix Nmecha, struck the decisive goal, completing a 2‑1 victory and sealing Germany’s place in the next phase.
The result not only underscored Germany’s resilience but also highlighted the impact of substitute contributions, with players such as Kai Havertz and Jamal Musiala watching from the bench as the team’s depth paid off.
For Ivory Coast, the defeat was compounded by the absence of striker Elye Wahi, who was unavailable due to legal proceedings in Canada, adding a layer of off‑field distraction to their campaign.