What a finish! Germany, thanks to a late brace from Deniz Undav, has won their second World Cup match against Ivory Coast in Toronto, thereby qualifying early for the Round of 16. Here’s an individual player analysis of the DFB team.
Following their impressive 7-1 opening victory against Curaçao, head coach Julian Nagelsmann, as expected, made no changes to the starting lineup. Aleksandar Pavlovic and Kai Havertz both celebrated goals in the first half, but both were rightfully disallowed for fouls. Franck Kessie put Ivory Coast ahead in the 30th minute. However, Deniz Undav then turned the game around with a double strike (68th and 90th+4 minute).
The final group stage match will be against Ecuador in New York on Thursday at 10 PM. The DFB team has already secured the top spot in the group following Ecuador’s surprising draw against Ecuador overnight.
Germany vs. Ivory Coast Player Ratings: Manuel Neuer
Neuer was powerless on the 0-1 goal and otherwise unchallenged. Rating: 3.5.
Germany vs. Ivory Coast Player Ratings: Joshua Kimmich
This was the duel most keenly anticipated: Kimmich facing the nimble Yan Diomande on the right flank – and the fears about his speed deficits proved to be true. In the 3rd minute, Kimmich was bypassed for the first time, but his lost tackle remained inconsequential. This was not the case in the 30th minute, when Diomande again outmaneuvered Kimmich and set up the 1-0 goal for Ivory Coast with a cross. He then had Diomande under better control until the latter switched to the left side midway through the second half. In attack, Kimmich provided some danger with good crosses. Rating: 4.5.
Germany vs. Ivory Coast Player Ratings: Jonathan Tah
As after the equalizer against Curaçao, Tah was again the first to vocally encourage his teammates after falling behind against Ivory Coast. He repeatedly struggled with the agile Ivorians. Tah did not impress during their huge counter-attacking chance in the 88th minute. Rating: 4.
Germany vs. Ivory Coast Player Ratings: Nico Schlotterbeck
He appeared to twist his ankle in the early stages and subsequently experienced visible knee pain. During a brief treatment break, Schlotterbeck was celebrated by German fans in the stadium with chants. He then returned to the pitch. However, after a solid first half, he was substituted at halftime as a precaution. Rating: 3.5.
Germany vs. Ivory Coast Player Ratings: Nathaniel Brown
On the left flank, he was very offensively minded and initiated several good attacks. In his own penalty area, he showed both strengths and weaknesses. In the 12th minute, Brown blocked a dangerous shot from Wilfried Singo (after failing to clear adequately beforehand). Before the 0-1 goal, Brown initially miskicked, then blocked strongly again, but Franck Kessie still managed to score on the rebound. In the 89th minute, he tested Fofana with a good low shot. Rating: 3.5.
Germany vs. Ivory Coast Player Ratings: Felix Nmecha
Another very strong performance in central midfield. Physically robust, Nmecha recorded several good ball recoveries and thwarted dangerous Ivorian counter-attacks in the 41st and 45th+2 minutes. He provided an outstanding through ball for Undav’s 2-1 equalizer. Rating: 1.5.
Germany vs. Ivory Coast Player Ratings: Aleksandar Pavlovic
Overall, significantly less conspicuous than Nmecha. However, Pavlovic was in the spotlight once: in the 22nd minute, Pavlovic forced what seemed to be the German lead after a Kimmich cross. The goal was rightfully disallowed because Pavlovic had been a bit too rough with the Ivorian goalkeeper Yahia Fofana. Rating: 4.
Germany vs. Ivory Coast Player Ratings: Leroy Sané
Despite all the debate after his disappointing performance against Curaçao, Nagelsmann again trusted Sané. He was again busy but without offensive output. Nagelsmann substituted him for Leweling in the 60th minute. Rating: 4.5.
Germany vs. Ivory Coast Player Ratings: Jamal Musiala
He attempted many dribbles but was usually dispossessed sooner or later. A prime example was an action in first-half stoppage time when Musiala ultimately went down just outside the penalty area – unnoticed. In the 18th minute, he shot wide to the right. Rating: 4.
Germany vs. Ivory Coast Player Ratings: Florian Wirtz
He often moved into the center but lacked the decisive ideas. Deep into first-half stoppage time, Wirtz stormed into the penalty area but ultimately missed the shot. Rating: 4.
Germany vs. Ivory Coast Player Ratings: Kai Havertz
After his brace against Curaçao, Havertz had his first shot against Ivory Coast in the twelfth second, but it went over. Ten minutes later, Havertz missed the best German chance of the first half with a header. In the 39th minute, he (like Pavlovic before him) celebrated a supposed goal. However, this was also rightfully disallowed, this time due to a foul by Musiala. Overall, he covered a large area of the pitch. Rating: 4.
Germany vs. Ivory Coast Player Ratings: Substitutes
Antonio Rüdiger: Came on at halftime for the injured Schlotterbeck and integrated solidly. Rating: 3.5.
Deniz Undav: German fans vehemently called for Undav’s substitution with chants. In the 60th minute, Nagelsmann granted their wish; Undav came on as part of a triple substitution for Musiala, scoring the equalizer eight minutes later and the winning goal in stoppage time. Incredible. Rating: 1.
Jamie Leweling: Replaced Sané on the right wing. Rating: 3.
Nadiem Amiri: Was substituted for Pavlovic, immediately vocally encouraged the German fans, and then provided a perfect cross for Undav’s equalizer. He missed a good shooting chance in stoppage time. Rating: 2.
Leon Goretzka: Came on in the 85th minute for Havertz. In the 88th minute, he made a crucial clearance in his own penalty area. No rating.