Germany 2-1 Ivory Coast - 2026 World Cup Match Report and Player Ratings

Germany 2-1 Ivory Coast - 2026 World Cup Match Report and Player Ratings

Germany took on Ivory Coast at the Toronto Stadium to kick off the second round of fixtures in Group E. With both teams sitting on 3 points, the game was crucial as a win for either side would almost certainly guarantee them a spot in the knockout rounds. Germany grabbed a last gasp winner, but Ivory Coast can feel they got very unlucky.

Ivory Coast began the game in a structured manner, tracking Germany's runs well and resisting their press. The Elephants had a few half chances early on, but nothing that phased Manuel Neuer.

Suddenly, Germany began to grow into proceedings, Kai Havertz got on the end of a fantastic cross from Joshua Kimmich which forced a good save from Yahia Fofana. Eintracht Frankfurt left-back Nathaniel Brown burst some life into the game by making a darting run down the left. The ball fell to Musiala who skewed his shot wide, but the tide was beginning to turn.

Germany thought they had found their opener after Pavlovic forced an error from Fofana, forcing the goalkeeper to put the ball into his own net. However, VAR intervened and the goal was ruled out.

After some early drama, the teams entered the first hydration break goalless.

Ivory Coast came back after the break firing. Yan Diomande picked up the ball on the left hand side and used quick feet to drive past the defence and ping the ball across goal. The ball found its way through the rubble to Franck Kessié who buried into the bottom corner to give the Elephants the lead.

Diomande burst through the heart of the defence again shortly after their first, passing the ball to Inter Milan's Yoan Bonny who drove a powerful shot into the hands of Manuel Neuer.

Germany were frantically looking for an equaliser heading towards half time. After a calamitous clearance from Kossounou, Germany broke through with Kai Havertz finding the back of the net. However, VAR intervened yet again, and the goal was ruled out as the challenge on the Atalanta defender was ruled as a foul.

Just before half time, Ivory Coast continued to look dangerous with Amad Diallo breaking through, his pass was miconstrued and Germany hit them on the counter, yet Florian Wirtz couldn't get any power behind his strike.

Halftime Score: Germany 0-1 Ivory Coast

At the beginning of the half, Julian Nagelsmann replaced Nico Schlotterbeck with Antonio Rüdiger after the Borussia Dortmund defender picked up a knock.

Germany began the half positively, swinging in crosses and giving it a real go. Kai Havertz and Jamal Musiala both had half chances, but their efforts were of no threat to Fofana. As the play moved on, Ivory Coast burst through and nearly had a second, but Amad Diallo's shot sailed over.

It was growing increasingly clear that Ivory Coast were the more settled team out of the two since the restart, keeping the ball in Germany's half with ease.

As the game neared the final hydration break, Ivory Coast were still in front and controlling. It would have been easy for the Elephants to rest on their morals after a solid first half showing, but instead, they continued to play attractive football and outclass the Germans in every area of the pitch.

Eventually, Germany found their equaliser. Deniz Undav managed to get on the end of a brilliant cross from Amiri, volleying the ball calmly into the back of the net.

It's now all to play for at the top of Group E with just 20 minutes to go, and both sides kept their cards close to their chests.

A few altercations from the Germans towards the referee regarding some of his decisons were the main theme of the last quarter, until the Elephants hit them on the counter.

Premier league duo Evann Guessand and Simon Adingra troubled the German backline immensely, nearly forcing a winner, and inceasing the stakes immeasurably as the game entered the dying embers. Simon Adingra had a huge opportunity to grab the winner just before stoppage time, but unfortunately the winger couldn't find his feet.

As we entered stoppage time, tensions rose, and the Germans carefully plotted their way into the opposition's box. Heroics from Yahia Fofan prevented them from finding a goal despite Deniz Undav's efforts, and it looked like we were heading for a draw.

Deniz Undav struck again with one minute to go to put the Germans ahead and send them top of Group E.

An impressive effort from Ivory Coast today who outclassed Germany in every area of the pitch apart from the score line. Nevertheless, the side will still fancy their chances of qualification.

Full Time Score: Germany 2-1 Ivory Coast

Germany Player Ratings

• Manuel Neuer (6)
• Joshua Kimmich (7)
• Jonathan Tah (7)
• Nico Schlotterbeck (6)
• Nathaniel Brown (6)
• Felix Nmecha (7)
• Aleksandar Pavlovic (6)
• Leroy Sané (6)
• Jamal Musiala (6)
• Florian Wirtz (6)
• Kai Havertz (5)
• Antonio Rüdiger (6)
• Nadiem Amiri (8)
• Deniz Undav (9)
• Jamie Leweling (6)
• Leon Goretzka (7)

Ivory Coast Player Ratings

• Yahia Fofana (7)
• Wilfried Sing (7)
• Odilon Kossounou (7)
• Emmanuel Agbadou (7)
• Ghislain Konan (6)
• Franck Kessié (8)
• Ibrahim Sangaré (7)
• Christ Inao Oulaï (7)
• Amad Diallo (6)
• Ange-Yoan Bonny (6)
• Yan Diomande (8)
• Seko Fofana (7)
• Evann Guessand (6)
• Simon Adingra (6)
• Guéla Doué (6)
• Nicolas Pépé (6)

Man Of The Match - Deniz Undav

The game changed in Germany's favour with the introduction of Deniz Undav around the hour mark. Before his arrival, the side were being outclassed all around the pitch.

Two clinical finishes from Undav did the job in the end, and he walks away with the match ball.

Bad Day In The Office - Kai Havertz

The Arsenal striker was a shadow of the man we saw against Curacao, missing multiple chances in front of goal and not offering much in terms of link up play.

Last week, we sung his praises, this week we slate him. That's pretty much the story of Kai Havertz's career.