Deniz Undav scored twice off the bench to fire Germany into the World Cup knockout stages for the first time since 2014 — but a ligament injury to Nico Schlotterbeck threatens to derail their campaign. The 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast in Toronto on Saturday was sealed in dramatic fashion when Undav swivelled and fired home a stoppage-time winner that goalkeeper Yahia Fofana had no chance of stopping. It was the Stuttgart forward's 68th-minute volleyed equaliser that had already dragged Julian Nagelsmann's side back into the game after Franck Kessie's opener had put the West Africans ahead.
Undav, who now has nine goals in his last eight matches, said: "This is a really important victory. We showed great character today." His performance came after two Germany goals had been disallowed in the first half, a frustration that Nagelsmann's side overcame with intricate passing and relentless pressure.
“Deniz Undav's double off the bench seals Germany's World Cup last-32 spot, but Nico Schlotterbeck's ligament injury casts doubt on his tournament.”
But the victory was overshadowed by the sight of Schlotterbeck limping off at half-time. The Borussia Dortmund centre-back, 26, sustained a knee issue in the first half and was replaced by Antonio Rudiger. "Nico is suspected to have sustained a ligament injury," Nagelsmann revealed. "It's not looking good." The Germany coach, who deployed a back three against Ivory Coast, has Rudiger, Jonathan Tah, Waldemar Anton and Malick Thiaw as alternative options, but Schlotterbeck is now a major doubt for Thursday's final group match against Ecuador in New York.
Nagelsmann acknowledged Undav could earn a starting berth for that game. "Maybe he can start next time," he said. "In the end, we deservedly won it. The boys invested a lot." Tah added: "We had exactly what it takes to succeed in a tournament, a winning mentality, team spirit. The guys coming off the bench brought new energy. Deniz deserves special mention. He was outstanding."
Germany had already thrashed Curacao 7-1 in their opener, but the injury to Schlotterbeck — sustained following Kessie's goal — raises questions about defensive depth as they push deeper into a tournament that features a record 48 nations.