Undav Off the Bench to Break Ivory Coast Hearts at the Death

Germany needed a dramatic rescue act in Group E and their super-sub delivered. According to Sky Sports, Deniz Undav came off the bench to score twice, including a 94th-minute winner, as Germany overturned a deficit to beat Ivory Coast 2-1 and book their place in the knockout rounds.

Ivory Coast captain Franck Kessie had given his side the lead, and Germany, as The Guardian reports, looked anxious and uncertain as the clock wound down. Chances came and went at both ends in a frantic finale, with Ivory Coast agonisingly close to holding on.

But Undav had the last word. The Guardian describes him spinning and firing past goalkeeper Fofana to bring visible relief to his teammates and the packed pro-German crowd. Germany pride themselves on performing when the tournament stage arrives, and they showed exactly that mentality in the closing minutes.

The win sends Germany through, with the result once again demonstrating the value of a well-stocked bench when group-stage nerves set in.