Germany silence Ivory Coast for last 32 spot
by Kickoff Reporter · KickOffGermany advanced to the knockout stages of the FIFA World Cup courtesy of a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast in Group E on Saturday night.
Fixture: Germany v Ivory Coast
Score: 2-1
Goalscorers: Undav (68', 90+4')/ Kessie (30')
Following wins in their opening matches, Die Mannschaft and the Elephants pushed for a spot in the knockout stages and the right to clinch top spot in the group.
The four-time champions made a positive start fresh from the commanding showing over debutants Curacao when Kai Havertz directed a cross in the box by Joshua Kimmich towards the near corner, but goalkeeper Yahia Fofana managed to get behind it and parried.
However, Elephants gradually settled and and hit the front on 30 minutes when Franck Kessie poked in a loose ball from close-range following a strong defensive-block off a shot by Amad.
Havertz drew level five minutes to the break when he slotted into an unguarded net from a successful high turnover, but it was called back as Jamal Musiala tripped Odilon Kossounou in the build-up right on the edge of the box.
Second Half:
Die Mannschaft had to make a substitution ahead of the second half due to an injury as Nico Schlotterbeck picked up a knock during the latter stages of the first half and made way for Antonio Rudiger.
The tough-tackling Real Madrid man looked for a positive contribution minutes after coming on and lashed a powerful long-range shot inches over the top of goal following a delivery by Jonathan Tah.
Germany continued to push forward against the low-block of the Elephants and were rewarded in the midway stage of the second stanza when substitute Nadiem Amiri delivered a telling cross in the box for fellow substitute Deniz Undav to a first-time finish on the side-foot.
With the scores now level, Die Mannschaft were inches to the winner late on after a cutback from the left to the edge of the box found Amiri but he couldn’t get the better of Fofana who produced a point-blank save.
Undav showed his accuracy four minutes into added time and grabbed the winner when he took brought in a pass from Felix Nmecha and finished with ease, sealing top spot for Die Mannschaft in Group E.
Next Fixtures:
Germany:
1. Ecuador
Ivory Coast:
2. Curacao