Germany survived a huge scare against Côte d’Ivoire before Deniz Undav came off the bench to deliver a dramatic 2-1 victory in Group E of the FIFA World Cup 2026. The match finished with late chaos, big emotions, and one brutal ending for an Ivorian side that had fought with courage until the final whistle.

Côte d’Ivoire made the first statement of the night. Franck Kessié gave the African side the lead in the 30th minute, turning the game into a serious test for Germany. The Ivorians were physical, confident, and dangerous on the break, forcing Germany to chase the match for long periods.

But Germany’s bench changed everything.

In the 68th minute, Deniz Undav brought Germany level after coming on as a substitute, giving his team fresh energy and putting Côte d’Ivoire under pressure. From there, the match opened up, with both sides looking for the win instead of settling for a draw.

Then came the killer moment.

Deep into stoppage time, Undav struck again in the 90+4th minute, completing Germany’s comeback and breaking Ivorian hearts. Felix Nmecha played the decisive pass, and Undav finished with the confidence of a striker who knew exactly what the moment demanded.

For Germany, this was more than just three points. It was a reminder of their tournament mentality: even when the performance is not perfect, they know how to survive, react, and punish opponents late.

For Côte d’Ivoire, the defeat will hurt. They were brave, organized, and dangerous, but in World Cup football, one late moment can destroy an entire night of work.

Germany walk away with a massive 2-1 win. Côte d’Ivoire walk away with pride, frustration, and one painful question: how did this game slip away?