Undav Double Completes Dramatic Germany Comeback to Sink Ivory Coast
Germany secured their place in the World Cup Round of 32 with a thrilling 2-1 comeback victory over Ivory Coast at Toronto Stadium.
The four-time world champions were thoroughly shaken in the first half when Ivorian captain Franck Kessié capitalised on a loose ball in the 30th minute to fire the West Africans into a shock lead.
Frustration mounted for Julian Nagelsmann’s side as they had two separate goals disallowed before the interval, leaving them facing a mountain to climb in a high-stakes Group E encounter.
The tactical turning point arrived on the hour mark when Nagelsmann introduced a decisive triple substitution to inject urgency into the German attack.
The tactical gamble paid off handsomely just eight minutes later when Nadiem Amiri floated a precise cross into the penalty area, allowing super-sub Deniz Undav to pull Germany level with a clinical finish.
Ivory Coast defended heroically to preserve the draw, but the relentless German pressure finally took its toll deep into stoppage time.
In the 94th minute, Felix Nmecha unlocked the tiring Ivorian defence with a brilliant, incisive pass to find Undav, who turned his marker and rifled home a dramatic winner.
The spectacular brace from the substitute ensures Germany maintains a perfect six-point record to comfortably book their ticket into the knockout phase. 
Meanwhile, a heartbroken Ivory Coast team must dust themselves down and focus on their final group stage fixture to determine their tournament survival.
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