Following Germany’s 2-1 victory against Ivory Coast, national team coach Julian Nagelsmann singled out super-sub Deniz Undav for special praise. However, he also admitted to the dilemma the striker’s performance has created for his team selection.
«The questions will definitely start now about whether he’ll ever get a starting spot. That’s absolutely within the realm of possibility, but he’s fulfilling his role incredibly well,» Nagelsmann commented to ZDF after the second group match of the 2026 World Cup on Thursday, referring to Undav.
Nagelsmann brought in the VfB Stuttgart forward in the 60th minute when Germany was trailing 0-1. Just eight minutes later, Undav equalized with a technically demanding volley after a superb cross from fellow substitute Nadiem Amiri.
«Nadiem with a great cross, Deniz with two top goals,» Nagelsmann lauded, also raving about his match-winner’s second strike. «The ball from Felix (Nmecha) and Deniz’s touch and his movement in the box – that’s something we’ve been lacking a bit, we’ve been playing around it too much. With him, there’s a bit more directness into the penalty area.»
In the fourth minute of stoppage time, Undav perfectly controlled a brilliant pass from Borussia Dortmund’s Felix Nmecha with his right foot, and with his second touch, slotted home the winning goal with his left foot.
«He’s a complete striker,» Nagelsmann stated, elaborating on his special praise for Undav. «He just has a great instinct, especially on the second goal, how he sneaks away behind the defender and is momentarily unavailable. He scores two great goals. Deniz’s touch, he shoots with his second touch without thinking. He’s a type of striker who knows where the goal is.»
Julian Nagelsmann on Deniz Undav’s Role at the World Cup: «We Can Consider Everything»
Given Undav’s outstanding season with Stuttgart, there was already significant discussion around the test matches in late March about whether the 29-year-old should be a starter at the World Cup. However, Nagelsmann has been opting for Kai Havertz in the starting striker position, who played in both the 7-1 opening win against Curacao and the match against Ivory Coast.
Meanwhile, Undav also came on as a substitute against Curacao, impressing with a goal and two assists in just under half an hour of playing time. «We can consider everything, in both directions,» Nagelsmann said regarding his future plans for Undav at the World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada. His dilemma: «One could also say that I’ll let him continue in his flow and his role because he’s twice decided games in that capacity,» Nagelsmann also presented arguments for continuing to rely on the Stuttgart player as a substitute.
Undav himself commented dryly on his standout performance in Toronto: «I’m in the right place. I try to bring my confidence onto the pitch. I know I can score in every game, especially with outstanding teammates. They make it easy for me. I just try to be there.» He admitted to feeling no nervousness, stating, «it’s just a football game. The team makes it easy for me to just go full throttle,» Undav added. Now, the focus is on: «Take the flow with us, take the positivity with us – and then win the next game.»
With the victory over the Ivorians, Germany has already secured a place in the knockout phase. Although the DFB team could theoretically slip to third place with a loss in their final group game against Ecuador on Thursday, with six points and due to the standings in other groups, it’s already clear they would be among the eight best third-placed teams, who, along with the first and second-placed teams in all groups, will advance to the round of 16.