Germany secured their place in the last 32 of the World Cup on Saturday, fighting from behind to beat Ivory Coast 2-1 in added time.
Die Nationalmannschaft made it two wins from two, but this result was nothing like their opening 7-1 thrashing of Curacao; Julian Nagelsmann’s side fell behind in the first half here, as Franck Kessie converted a rebound after a fine run and cross by Yan Diomande.
Ivory Coast, who began their own Group E campaign with a last-gasp win over Ecuador, then streamed forward at every opportunity, with Germany looking desperately vulnerable to a second goal from the underdogs.
But it never came, and Nagelsmann’s substitutes made the difference – especially Deniz Undav, who scored twice, including in the 94th minute. With that, Germany are through to the last 32, while Ivory Coast face an important tie with Curacao next.
Re-live all the action from Group E with our live blog below:
That first touch
Watching Undav’s second goal back and the first touch to control it while turning is so impressive.
Full-time! Germany 2-1 Ivory Coast
And there it is. Such character and resilience from Germany, whose substitutions make the difference, but it is also cruel on Ivory Coast. They played some wonderful football – especially in the first half – and must surely progress anyway with Curacao to come in the final game of the group stages on Thursday night.
Germany 2-1 Ivory Coast
97’ – We’re into time added on after added time. Nagelsmann is howling for the whistle… any second now.
Germany 2-1 Ivory Coast
It will count because Konan plays Undav on. Nmecha drills in a lovely pass to the forward just inside the box. He takes a fantastic first touch to allow a turn and then smashes home a left-footed strike that has surely won the game for Germany.
GOAL! Germany 2-1 Ivory Coast (Undav, 94)
The substitute strikes again… it will be checked for offside but Germany are celebrating.
Germany 1-1 Ivory Coast
92’ – Germany are pushing a bit higher, probing in search of a late winner that would be cruel on Ivory Coast. But the Ivorians are maintaining their compact shape, sitting back and hoping of another chance to counter themselves.
Germany 1-1 Ivory Coast
90’ – There will be six minutes added on. And in the first of them Amiri gets a nice sight of goal only to prod straight at Fofana.
Germany 1-1 Ivory Coast
89’ – And now Fofana makes a top save to deny Brown. Will we get a winner? A draw is probably fair….
Germany 1-1 Ivory Coast
88’ – Ivory Coast get a rare opportunity to break with numbers and Pepe does really well to time his pass from right to left towards Adingra perfectly. Except Adingra makes an absolute mess of his touch when he looked beautifully positioned to strike.
