Germany also won its second World Cup game: the DFB team won 2-1 (0-1) against Ivory Coast. The DFB team didn’t show a good performance, but thanks to Joker Deniz Undav, progress is already perfect.
The Ivorians did not take the lead undeservedly in Toronto. Captain Franck Kessié’s goal (30th) put the Germans behind. And a reaction was a long time coming. The West Africans, who marched through World Cup qualifying undefeated, were even closer to scoring a second goal in the second half.
But a triple substitution by national coach Julian Nagelsmann brought the win: Of all people, Undav, who had shone with a goal and two assists in the 7-1 win against Curacao after coming on as a substitute, was successful again as a substitute – 1-1 (68th). And when everything looked like a draw, the thoroughbred striker struck a second time (90th + 4). The rest was German cheering.
Nagelsmann: “In the end I think it’s deserved”
Defense chief Jonathan Tah was happy about the “winning mentality and team spirit” – and about the upcoming games: “That’s exactly what you need to be successful in a tournament. We always believed in it.” He described Undav’s use of the Joker as “outstanding. He just concentrates on his task.” He already pushed the team in the pasue. When he came in, then again.
Nagelsmann called the double goalscorer a “brutal finisher”. The team was “there for each other. In the end I think the victory was deserved.”
Germany gets off to a good start, Pavlovic’s goal doesn’t count
The Germans got into the game very well. Center forward Kai Havertz scored the first goal after a few seconds. Things became significantly more dangerous after a cross from Joshua Kimmich, Havertz headed into the bottom corner, but Yahia Fofana made a safe save (10th). Eight minutes later, Jamal Musiala shot powerfully from the penalty area, but missed the goal by half a meter.
The goal doesn’t count: Aleksandar Pavlovic is horrified.
As expected, the Ivorians attacked the German right side with Yan Diomande – and caused the defense to flounder at one point or another. Things happened quickly after Havertz lost the ball. Diomande laid off for Konan, whose cross Nathaniel Brown was unable to defuse at the first attempt. The Frankfurter then blocked against Wilfried Singo – he was lucky (12th).
Shortly afterwards, the DFB team had bad luck – and twice as much: First, Felix Nmecha’s shot was deflected and went just over (21′). And after the following corner, Aleksandar Pavlovic prevailed in an aerial duel against Fofana. 1-0? No! However, referee Juan Gabriel Benitez ruled that the alleged goalscorer had not touched the ball.
Bitter – goal conceded with announcement
Germany was in charge, but after the drinking break Ivory Coast took the lead. Again Diomande beat Kimmich on the wing. After his cross, Brown was able to block against Amad Traoré. However, captain Franck Kessié easily sank the follow-up shot from five meters. 0:1 from a German perspective (30th) and a goal conceded with an announcement! It’s incomprehensible that the DFB captain didn’t get more support from his teammates.
The hit had an impact. It took the Germans a while to recover from the deficit. But they came up again before halftime. A goal by Havertz was rightly refused recognition because of a previous foul (38th). Florian Wirtz took too long twice to finish, so there was no danger (40th/45th+7).
Opportunities for Ivory Coast every minute
However, the Ivorians came out of the break confidently – and took advantage of German mistakes. Pavlovic and Nmecha no longer had access to the midfield. Kessié moved towards us from midfield, but his shot ended up being no problem for Manuel Neuer (50′). Inao Oulai shot over from a prime position just one minute later. And again just two turns later, the central defense, in which Antonio Rüdiger had replaced the injured Nico Schlotterbeck, cleared the ball at the last moment. And Diomande shot over (56th).
Undav puts his stamp on the final phase
After an hour, Nagelsmann had enough: Deniz Undav, Jamie Leweling and Nadiem Amiri came on for Musiala, Sané and Pavlovic. A corner from Kimmich caused danger. Fofana ran under the ball and Havertz, who was lurking behind, headed past the goal (64′). But then the change paid off. Amiri crossed from the half field with a move in front of the goal. There, Undav stole away and volleyed the ball into the net to make it 1-1 (68′).
But the goal didn’t give the German team a jolt. It wasn’t until the last minutes of the game that things got heated again. First, Leon Goretzka, who was also a substitute, saved in dire need (88th). On the other hand, Brown was denied by Fofana (89′). Amiri also couldn’t get past the goalkeeper (90+1).
But one person in particular didn’t want to be satisfied with the 1-1 score. Undav perfectly accepted a hard vertical pass from Nmecha and scored a second time – 2:1 (90th+). And shortly afterwards it was over.
outlook
Germany already has the ticket for the round of 16 in its pocket. However, not the group victory yet. But the Germans have it in their own hands – on Thursday (10 p.m. CEST) in New York/New Jersey against Ecuador. Ivory Coast will face Curacao in Philadelphia at the same time.