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Group E: Germany 2-1 Cote D’Ivoire
Toronto: Germany reached the FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout phase for the first time since 2014 as substitute Deniz Undav scored twice in a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over the Cote D’Ivoire in Toronto on Saturday.
Franck Kessie turned in from close range to give the Ivorians a 30th-minute lead, but Undav volleyed home midway through the second half before snatching an injury-time winner.

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Germany almost carved out the perfect start when Kai Havertz won a header from kick-off and fired the loose ball just over the crossbar.

 

Joshua Kimmich then found the frontman with a pinpoint cross, but his low header was beaten away by Yahia Fofana.

 

Fofana was beaten shortly after when Aleksandar Pavlovic headed home a corner from the right, only for the referee to blow after the Bayern Munich midfielder was adjudged to have led with an elbow.
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Cote D’Ivoire hung in though, and sucker-punched the four-time champions down the other end.
 
The ever-dangerous Yan Diomande burst down the left and put in a low cross which fell to the feet of Amad Diallo.
 
While Nathaniel Brown made a block, he couldn't prevent Kessie from tucking home the rebound.
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The Africans held their own at the start of the second half, forcing Julian Nagelsmann to shuffle his pack.
 
He called upon Nadiem Amiri and Undav on the hour and just eight minutes later the former sent an inch-perfect cross for the latter to head in the leveller.
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Fae turned to his bench and was almost handsomely rewarded himself.
 
Nicholas Pepe broke down the right, and as Evann Guessand dragged away the German defence, Simon Adingra was left all alone on the left side of the box. However, a loose touch saw him crowded out.
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That chance proved to be crucial as, four minutes into stoppage time, Lukas Nmecha slid a clever ball through to Undav, who turned and finished with aplomb to break Cote D’Ivoire hearts. 
 
Sources: FIFA, AFP