Germany Snatch Dramatic Late Win Over Côte d'Ivoire

Germany vs Côte d'Ivoire

By David Hirst

FT: Germany secure late win over Côte d'Ivoire

D By David Hirst

Substitute Denis Undav came off the bench to score twice as Germany fought back to beat Côte d'Ivoire 2-1 in Toronto.

Yan Diomande crossed from the left, Amad Diallo's shot was blocked but Franck Kessie fired home for the Africans.

Undav levelled after firing in a cross from fellow sub Nadiem Amiri.

Undav then shot home in stoppage time to secure the win and Germany's passage to the next round.

90+4' Germany snatch dramatic late goal!

D By David Hirst

Undav again!!!

Denis Undav latches onto a pass from Felix Nmecha, swivels and smashes the ball past Yahia Fofana.

The crowd goes wild.

87' Big chance missed by Côte d'Ivoire

D By David Hirst

Côte d'Ivoire on the counter attack.

What a chance to win it late.

Adingra is free in the box and should shoot first time but instead he takes a touch and is tackled.

Should have shot.

Then at the other end, Brown sees a low shot brilliantly saved by Côte d'Ivoire keeper Fofana.

84' More subs on

D By David Hirst

Diomande is replaced by Pepe for Côte d'Ivoire.

Havertz is off for Germany. Goretzka on.

77' Germany on the front foot

D By David Hirst

Germany look the most likely to find a winner.

They've picked up the pace in the second half.

67' Germany level against Côte d'Ivoire

D By David Hirst

Instant impact from the substitute!

Deniz Undav is in the right place at the right time.

He fires in after a cross from the right from fellow sub Nadiem Amiri.

Germany's substitutions doing the business.

60' Three subs on for Germany

D By David Hirst

Germany make more changes. They haven't started this half very well.

Sane, Musiala and Pavlovic are off.

Undav, Lewling and Amiri come on

50' Côte d'Ivoire chance

D By David Hirst

Côte d'Ivoire look really strong going forward.

Amad Diallo lays the ball off to Christ Inao Oulai who fires over.

What an end to the game

D By David Hirst

Côte d'Ivoire players look devastated to have lost that game.

Germany snatched it in stoppage time.

There's a bit of a gap now until the next game where Ecuador face Curaçao.

Stay with us though for all the latest World Cup news.

How things stand heading into the third match of the day

H By Henry Hanson

There is a lot of pressure on Ecuador heading into today's match with Curaçao.

La Tri was so impressive during qualifying, finishing above Brazil, Uruguay and Colombia, and only second to Argentina on the CONMEBOL table.

The Ecuadorians' success was built of a solid defensive base, only conceding five goals in 18 matches.

But after their first-round defeat to the Ivory Coast, a World Cup of such promise threatens to peter out if they can't get the job done today.

Curaçao, meanwhile, clearly needs a win to remain in the tournament.

'We are not Germany': Ecuador coach wary of Curaçao threat

H By Henry Hanson

Reuters

Ecuador coach Sebastian Beccacece sought on Friday to distance his team from Germany's 7-1 demolition of Curacao, urging focus and respect ahead of a must-win World Cup clash against the Caribbean side.

Ecuador, beaten 1-0 by Ivory Coast in their opener despite long spells of dominance, saw their 19-match unbeaten run end and are now under pressure to take points before facing Group E rivals Germany.

"First, we're not Germany. Second, as we've done over these years, we always have respect for the opponent," Beccacece told reporters. "Matches are played on the pitch."

He said his squad were fully fit and clear about their task, and warned them to stay alert despite Curacao's — the smallest nation ever to reach the tournament — heavy defeat in their debut.

"We have to go with an idea that is already established, to know in which moments we have to take control, look for spaces that allow us more time to make decisions," the 45-year-old Argentine coach said.

"We have to be very alert to avoid certain transitions and stay very attentive."

Team news: Ecuador vs Curaçao

D By David Hirst

Thanks David

H By Henry Hanson

Hi everyone, my name's Henry and I'm here to guide you through the remaining two games of the day.

First up, it's Ecuador taking on Curaçao in Kansas City.

After that, we travel to Monterrey for Tunisia vs Japan.

Thanks to David Hirst for another stellar effort this morning.

He brought you all the action from:

Germany's late win over Côte d'Ivoire

The Netherlands' statement victory over Sweden

Ecuador up against Curaçao

D By David Hirst

- AP

Ecuador were unbeaten in 19 consecutive matches when they arrived at the World Cup, and it looked as if Sebastián Beccacece's team was going to keep that streak going until Côte d'Ivoire's Amad Diallo scored in the 90th minute to deal La Tricolor an opening loss.

Now, with powerful Germany awaiting next week to conclude Group E, Ecuador faces what could amount to a must-win match with Curaçao at Arrowhead Stadium if they want to advance to the knockout stage.

"What follows," Beccacece said, "must be faced with the same way we have faced it so far: with great strength, with great integrity, with great intensity and with a clear idea of the game."

Meanwhile, Curaçao had been the plucky feel-good story of the World Cup as the smallest nation, both in size and population, to make the field. Then reality hit in the Blue Wave's 7-1 loss to Germany.

Aussie fans find unique way to keep costs down

D By David Hirst

When a group of mates from Sydney and Wollongong decided to go to the most expensive World Cup in history, they knew they'd have to find a unique way to keep costs down.

And so they adopted a very American approach, hiring an RV, or as they have called it a 'RooV.'

"The inspiration behind the idea was the cost of accommodation primarily," Cam de Jong said.

"We just decided that it would be a fun way to give ourselves some exposure to the Pacific North West, get together in a really cramped location, and then just have some fun."

Read the full story here.

Three teams already into next round

D By David Hirst

Mexico, USA and Germany the first three teams into the round of 32.

'The King was very happy'

D By David Hirst

The Netherlands had two very special guests cheering them on against Sweden this morning with King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima watching from a luxury suite.

"The King was very happy," Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman said.

It certainly was a performance fit for a king.

How Socceroos duo are dealing with being dropped

D By David Hirst

When Australia’s team for its opening World Cup game against Türkiye was announced, there were two stunning omissions from the starting line-up.

Captain Mat Ryan, a veteran of more than 100 caps for the Socceroos, and vice-captain Jackson Irvine, who has played 80 times, were on the bench.

In their place were young goalkeeper Patrick Beach and midfielder Paul Okon-Engstler.

For Ryan in particular, it was a tough decision to take, considering his form for Spanish side Levante and his standing within the Socceroos set-up.

Read Tom Wildie's story here.