TORONTO, Canada, June 21, 2026 – Denis Undav dealt Ivory Coast a debilitating last-minute heartbreak as Germany came from a goal down to win 2-1 in their second game of Group E World Cup encounter on Saturday night.
The Ivorians had matched the European giants for majority of the match, taking a deserved lead through Frank Kessie in the 30th minute,
The former Barcelona midfielder tapped into the net, pouncing on a rebound after Amad Diallo’s initial close range shot had been blocked.
Emerson Fae’s charges exhibited disciplined defending coupled with energetic runs from the deep of the midfield.
They also carved out a number of chances but could not extend their lead as they fluffed their chances.
Kessie, Yan Diomande and Simon Adingra were all guilty of missing glorious opportunities that would have put the game to bed had they been more clinical.
It proved disastrous as the Germans soon levelled matters through Undav’s header in the 68th minute, the Stuttgart forward having only spent a few minutes on the pitch.
It was a just reward for Die Mannschaft’s period of dominance midway through the second half — and also considering that two goals scored in the first half had been chalked off for a foul in the lead-up.
Even with the scores level, the Elephants slalomed forward at every chance they got but once again struggled to find the decisive touch.
With five minutes to go, Adingra missed one of the best chances of the match, choosing to take a touch rather than connect with Nicholas Pepe’s low cross from the right.
Four minutes into added time, the Ivorians’ worst nightmare came to life when Felix Nmecha’s disguised pass found Undav lurking in the penalty area.
The forward reacted quickly to fire past Yahya Fofana in the Ivorian goal for the winner as the Africans reluctantly raised their hands in protest of a possible offside.
