Germany secured their place in the knockout stage of the 2026 World Cup thanks to a dramatic late comeback against Ivory Coast in their final group match. The victory marked the first time since their 2014 tournament win that Die Mannschaft advanced beyond the group phase and the first time since 2006 that they have won their opening two matches at a World Cup.

The match, held on June 21, saw Germany dominate possession for much of the game but struggle to create clear scoring chances. Ivory Coast took the lead in the first half through a strike by Franck Kessié, set up by Yan Diomande. Despite early promise from Kai Havertz, who forced a save from Ivory Coast goalkeeper Yahia Fofana with a header, Germany found it difficult to break down a resolute defensive line.

The pace and fluidity that had characterized Germany’s earlier 7-1 victory over Curaçao were notably absent, with attacking midfielders Leroy Sané, Jamal Musiala, and Florian Wirtz failing to penetrate Ivory Coast’s backline effectively. Head coach Julian Nagelsmann made pivotal tactical adjustments in the 60th minute, withdrawing both Sané and Musiala in favor of fresh attacking options.

These substitutions immediately influenced the outcome. Substitute Deniz Undav, a striker for VfB Stuttgart, quickly made his mark by equalizing shortly after entering the field. Undav then clinched the victory with a well-executed goal in the fourth minute of injury time, sealing a 2-1 win for Germany.

Nagelsmann’s strategic moves highlighted an ability to adapt under pressure and underscored Undav’s key role in Germany’s progress. The team’s ability to recover from a halftime deficit and secure all three points underscores their growing confidence as the tournament progresses. With this result, Germany continues their pursuit of a sixth World Cup title, reaffirming their status as one of the tournament's leading contenders.