Into the KNOCKOUTS | Deniz Undav scores LAST MINUTE goal to give Germany 2-1 win vs. Ivory Coast
CBS Sports Golazo's panel recaps Germany's 2-1 World Cup win over Ivory Coast, a result that sends Germany into the knockout rounds. Germany trailed at halftime and was rescued by substitute Deniz Undav, who came on and scored both goals, including a last-minute winner. The panel, joined by a German guest analyst, is blunt that Ivory Coast were the better, more physical side and created plenty of chances but lost because they were not ruthless in front of goal. Most of the show is two debates: whether Undav has done enough to start ahead of Kai Havertz as a true number nine, and how far this unconvincing Germany side can realistically go, with the panel landing on a quarter-final as a success and a semi-final as a fantastic achievement rather than a title run.
Germany beat Ivory Coast 2-1 and are now safely through to the knockouts with six points from two games, but the panel was unanimous that the performance was not convincing and that Ivory Coast were the better team on the day.
- Substitute Deniz Undav was the difference: brought on at halftime with Germany behind, he scored both goals, including a last-minute winner. The analysts note Nagelsmann had earlier said unflattering things about Undav and had to apologize, making the two-goal cameo a pointed answer.
- Ivory Coast lost on fine margins, not quality. They were compact, physical and created enough chances to win by two or three goals, but failed to finish (Kessie had further good chances in the box and a late opening for Adingra went begging on an extra touch). The panel's verdict: they got what they deserved for not being ruthless.
- The central tactical argument is the 'true number nine' question. The panel praises Undav's natural striker instincts and shoulder-of-the-defender awareness (comparing the trait to Harry Kane) against Kai Havertz's more intelligent false-nine game, and now sees Nagelsmann with a welcome selection headache, two strikers who are scoring.
- On Germany's ceiling, the panel agrees a quarter-final would be a success and a semi-final a fantastic achievement, while doubting a title because of weaknesses at crucial positions (the German guest singled out the right back, with Kimmich forced to play left back). The German guest framed the public's optimism against the memory of the 2006 World Cup.