Germany edge Ivory Coast to reach last 32
Ivory Coast took the lead in the 30th minute when captain Franck Kessié found the net to give his team a 1-0 advantage heading into the break.
KATHMANDU: Germany secured their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 with a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over Ivory Coast.
Trailing by a goal, Germany produced a strong second-half fightback, with substitute Deniz Undav emerging as the match-winner by scoring both goals for his side.
Ivory Coast took the lead in the 30th minute when captain Franck Kessié found the net to give his team a 1-0 advantage heading into the break.
Germany equalized in the 68th minute through Undav, who came off the bench to level the score at 1-1.
As the match appeared headed for a draw, Undav struck again deep into injury time, scoring the decisive goal to seal a 2-1 victory and send Germany into the knockout stage.
The win marked Germany’s second consecutive victory in Group E, lifting them to the top of the standings with six points. Ivory Coast remain second with three points.
Ecuador and Curaçao are yet to register a point in the group.
