Germany 2-1 Ivory Coast: World Cup 2026 – as it happened
All the updates from our text commentary stream coverage of Germany’s 2-1 win over Ivory Coast at Toronto Stadium.
This page is now closed, but a summary of the football game is available below, and you can click here for our full match report. Thanks for joining us at Al Jazeera Sport.
This page is now closed, but a summary of the football game is available below, and you can click here for our full match report. Thanks for joining us at Al Jazeera Sport.
- Four-time champions Germany beat Ivory Coast 2-1 in Group E of FIFA World Cup 2026 to seal their passage to the knockout stages.
- The match was played at Toronto Stadium in Toronto, Canada, where Ivory Coast took a first-half lead through Franck Kessie. Deniz Undav scored twice in the second half to give Germany the win.
- Germany thumped Curacao 7-1 in their opening game of the tournament. African giants Ivory Coast edged out Ecuador with a 1-0 win to begin their campaign.
- The first game of Day 10 of the tournament sees the Netherlands face Sweden, while Ecuador face Curacao in the third fixture of the day before Tunisia take on Japan.
- Argentina are the defending champions, having lifted the World Cup after defeating France in the final of Qatar 2022.
Keep up to date: Follow Al Jazeera Sport on our website and on X for the latest news, features and live events from around the globe.
- Live updates
- Match stats
- Lineups
- 20 Jun 2026 - 23:05(23:05 GMT)
It’s a wrap
Germany assure themselves progression into the Round of 32 with a 2-1 comeback victory over Ivory Coast.
Ivory Coast are still in a strong position and will now need a decisive result against Curacao in order to bolster their chances of going through.
We hope you enjoyed our coverage! On behalf of Kevin Hand, this is Rohan Sharma signing off.
Germany are locked in for the Round of 32 🔒#FIFAWorldCup
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 20, 2026
- 20 Jun 2026 - 22:56(22:56 GMT)
Instant impact
🇩🇪 𝐆𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝟐-𝟏 𝐈𝐯𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐬𝐭 🇨🇮
Deniz Undav came off the bench to score twice as Germany come from a goal down to win in Toronto.
Germany substitutes have recorded six goal contributions at the 2026 World Cup – the most of any nation.#GERCIV pic.twitter.com/Zgh5vS71ye
— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) June 20, 2026
- 20 Jun 2026 - 22:49(22:49 GMT)
Next up for Al Jazeera Sport
Our World Cup coverage continues into tomorrow, as powerhouse Spain take on Saudi Arabia.
After being held to a famous 0-0 draw against Cabo Verde, the Spanish know nothing short of a win will be required.
The live blog is set to commence at 13:00 GMT.
👋🏼 Hi, Atlanta!
Ya estamos aquí otra vez 🤗#VamosEspaña | #CopaMundialFIFA pic.twitter.com/EbUWUHf5h2
— Selección Española Masculina de Fútbol (@SEFutbol) June 20, 2026
Advertisement - 20 Jun 2026 - 22:45(22:45 GMT)
Traffic ‘referees’ on duty outside stadium
These self-appointed “traffic referees” have been regulating cars and pedestrians outside Toronto watch parties and busy football fan areas across the city.
They’re handing out yellow and red cards to drivers who don’t adhere to traffic rules as pedestrians compete for space on the roads.
A traffic ‘referee’ monitoring matters near Toronto Stadium [Anushe Engineer/Al Jazeera] - 20 Jun 2026 - 22:43(22:43 GMT)
Read all about it: Our Germany-Ivory Coast report is live
Click here to read our full match report following Germany’s win.
- 20 Jun 2026 - 22:42(22:42 GMT)
Breakout star
Five goal involvements off the bench.
Deniz Undav has ALREADY matched Roger Milla’s 1990 record for the most goal involvements as a substitute at a single World Cup since 1966. 🇩🇪🔥 pic.twitter.com/20X64wQLu7
— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) June 20, 2026
- 20 Jun 2026 - 22:40(22:40 GMT)
‘Germany was stronger, not better’
Ivory Coast fan Emily drove from Montreal to Toronto at 6am today to support the Elephants and was “heartbroken” when Undav netted again to give Germany the win.
“I’m so sad right now; I don’t even know what to say,” she said as she pretended to wipe away tears.
“We’re a strong team, so I knew we had the chance to win today, especially after that first goal.
“I guess Germany was the stronger side today, not better.”
The football fan said she’s been pleased with the team’s performance so far and equally excited to be in Toronto for the World Cup.
Ivory Coast fan Emily following their defeat by Germany [Anushe Engineer/Al Jazeera] - 20 Jun 2026 - 22:40(22:40 GMT)
Tah: ‘We never gave up’
“Winning mentality, team spirit – we had exactly what you need to be successful in a tournament,” Germany defender Jonathan Tah told MagentaTV after the win.
“We never gave up, [we] kept going no matter what. The guys coming off the bench brought energy. Deniz [Undav] deserves a special mention, [just] outstanding,” the Bayern Munich defender added.
- 20 Jun 2026 - 22:35(22:35 GMT)
Diomande on fire
Hmmmm wonder where Ivory Coast’s biggest threat is? pic.twitter.com/UKT8XP8IdP
— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) June 20, 2026
Advertisement - 20 Jun 2026 - 22:34(22:34 GMT)
Quick reaction
Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann spoke with BeIN Sports after the match: “The victory is deserved, even if it took us too long to get into this match.”
Ivory Coast manager Emerse Fae chimed in as well: “We lost with honour.”
Finally, Ivory Coast keeper Yahia Fofana also provided his thoughts: “I’m proud of my team, we fought well, and we’re all learning. We’ll use these mistakes to move forward.”
- 20 Jun 2026 - 22:28(22:28 GMT)
Rewriting history
Germany have won just one of their last 10 World Cup matches after conceding the first goal (D2, L7)
— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) June 20, 2026
- 20 Jun 2026 - 22:21(22:21 GMT)
‘I knew Germany would win’
Dayne, a “not-so-soccer” fan but a diehard supporter of all things Germany, said he knew the team would win, though Ivory Coast had a superb performance too.
“Growing up in a German family in Canada, it’s really cool to see Toronto hosting the World Cup,” Dayne said.
Like Dayne, several people in the city never expected it to be a World Cup host city but have been pleasantly surprised with the preparations and overall atmosphere.
“If it comes down to Canada vs Germany, I don’t know who I’ll support,” he joked.
Germany fan Dayne following Ivory Coast win [Anushe Engineer/Al Jazeera] - 20 Jun 2026 - 22:21(22:21 GMT)
Updated Group E rankings
Germany, on the back of two wins, hold top spot with 6 points.
Ivory Coast sit in second place with 3 points.
Ecuador and Curacao round out the group with 0 points, with their upcoming match a vital one.
- 20 Jun 2026 - 22:14(22:14 GMT)
Undav is your Player of the Match
Having scored his second and third goals of the tournament, the super substitute is your Player of the Match.
- 20 Jun 2026 - 22:07(22:07 GMT)
Toronto summer draws out fans for World Cup watch parties
Downtown Toronto is buzzing with football enthusiasts and causal spectators milling around the FIFA Fan Festival and other watch parties nearby.
The Adidas Soccer Home at Stackt Market is at full capacity with people still lining up to see the match even though half the game is over.
People here say they’ve travelled from the suburbs, about an hour away, just for the “good summer vibes” in Toronto that’s seeing a warm, sunny day as Germany took on Ivory Coast at the Toronto Stadium nearby.
Toronto watch party for World Cup 2026 [Anushe Engineer/Al Jazeera] - 20 Jun 2026 - 22:03(22:03 GMT)
Undav brace propels Germany comeback win!
After facing the ignominy of consecutive group-stage exits in 2018 and 2022, Germany have booked their place in the Round of 32.
In a stadium filled to the brim with travelling fans, the squad has given them something to celebrate deep into the night.
Spare a thought for Ivory Coast, who played their hearts out, but were unlucky to see it through.
Full-time: Germany 2-1 Ivory Coast
- 20 Jun 2026 - 22:00(22:00 GMT)
Full-time: Germany 2-1 Ivory Coast
Germany complete a remarkable comeback to ensure their qualification into the next round!
Full-time: Germany 2-1 Ivory Coast
- 20 Jun 2026 - 21:58(21:58 GMT)
GOAL! Undav scores. Germany 2-1 Ivory Coast
Undav beats Fofana right at the death to complete a remarkable comeback!
Nmecha finds the frontman with a brilliant pass from outside the box, left of centre.
Undav receives, turns and then fires past a scrambling Fofana to send the German contingent in the stands into sheer ecstasy.
The beer taps in Toronto will undoubtedly run dry tonight!
90+4 mins: Germany 2-1 Ivory Coast
Germany’s Deniz Undav scores their second goal [Piroschka Van De Wouw/Reuters] - 20 Jun 2026 - 21:57(21:57 GMT)
All to play for
The match has opened up beautifully in these last 10 minutes.
Ivory Coast have had the better of the chances, but Germany are not too far away either.
90+4 mins: Germany 1-1 Ivory Coast
- 20 Jun 2026 - 21:54(21:54 GMT)
Amiri saved
He is slipped a pass from the left side, and tries to beat Fofana.
But the attempt isn’t powerful enough, as the keeper is able to collapse on the attempt.
We are into six additional minutes of stoppage time now.
90+1 mins: Germany 1-1 Ivory Coast