Deniz Undav came off the bench to score for Germany for the second World Cup game in a row, netting a double as Die Mannschaft came from behind to beat a spirited Ivory Coast side in Toronto.
Franck Kessie had given the Elephants a first-half advantage, while teenager Yan Diomande gave Germany plenty to think about as the African side were good value for their lead.
But Julian Nagelsmann’s side, who had two goals disallowed before the break, eventually hit back through an Undav brace – including a 94th-minute winner – to ensure Germany’s progress to the knockout stages for the first time since winning the trophy in 2014.
The Ivory Coast, who beat Ecuador 1-0 in their opening game, will take great confidence from their performance, and will have belief they can qualify for the next round for the first time ever.
The Elephants stun Die Mannschaft
Germany started the game brightly and went close inside the opening 10 minutes when Kai Havertz met Joshua Kimmich’s pin-point cross, but Yahia Fofana in the Ivory Coast goal was equal to the header.
Felix Nmecha’s deflected strike dropped inches over the bar and from the resulting corner, Aleksandar Pavlovic’s header was ruled out for a foul on Fofana.
But just when Germany looked the most likely to break the deadlock, Ivory Coast opened the scoring just before the half-hour mark.
Diomande, the 19-year-old being eyed up by Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain, showed his talents by beating Kimmich to the byline before flashing a dangerous ball across the box.
In the ensuing melee, Amad’s shot was initially blocked by Nathanial Brown but Kessie was on hand to steer home the second attempt to give the youngest side at this World Cup a shock lead.
Germany then saw another goal ruled out when Havertz rolled the ball into the net before the referee pulled the game back for a clear foul in the build-up.
An entertaining second half
With Ivory Coast leading at the break, they went in search of second after the restart, with talented youngster Chris Inao sending strike just over when he perhaps should have done better.
The Ivorians were having an inspired game, restricting Germany to half-chances and potshots from distance.
That was until the introduction of Undav off the bench. For the second game running, the striker found the net, thumping home from close range on 68 minutes from fellow substitute Nadiem Amiri’s delivery to level the score.
With the game opening up late on, Ivory Coast squandered a glorious chance when Simon Adingra hesitated too long with the goal gaping, taking a touch when he should have taken it first time.
At the other end, Fofana tipped away Brown’s goal-bound effort, before the Ivorian keeper was again called into action to prevent Undav from scoring.
But Undav would not be denied a second, expertly turning from Nmecha’s pass before rifling home to complete the comeback in added time.
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