Germany 2 Ivory Coast 1
Never count the Germans out. If there’s one thing I’ve learnt when watching international football is that you never count out the Germans, the first half was quite even with Ivory Coast looking dangerous on the counter but Germany also dominating possession and creating a few chances with a Havertz header brilliantly saved by Fofana in the 9th minute. It was Ivory Coast that took the lead however as Yan Diomande fired the ball across the box finding Amad who’s initial shot was blocked but only to Frank Kessie who had an easy finish to put the Ivory Coast 1-0 up in the 29th minute, the goal seemed to stun the Germans who were really poor going forward in the first half which ended with the Ivory Coast in the ascension. That didn’t change in the second half were the Ivory Coast missed some great chances to double their lead but it was the Germans who scored next as two substitutes linked up with Nadiem Amiri floating the ball into the box where Deniz Undav was on hand to equalise for Germany in the 68th minute, both teams where going at it to try and win the game with Simon Adingra missing the chance of the game after a brilliant pass from Nicolas Pepe. You knew that Germany had one more chance in them and they made Ivory Coast pay as Felix Nmecha fired the ball into Deniz Undav who turned and fired past Fofana to give Germany a huge three points to most likely top the group four minutes into injury time, a heartbreaker for the Ivory Coast who were well worthy of a point in my opinion.
A good tester for this Germany team. It was hard to gauge how strong this Germany team was against Curacao last week and I think we’ve seen the good and the bad today, the good was the strength off the bench that ultimately changed the game as Germany were going nowhere before Undav and Amiri came on and won them the game. The bad is how poor they were in attack before those subs with Musiala, Sane, Havertz and Wirtz all having poor games which will certainly be a worry for Nagelsmann heading into the knockouts, the other worry would be the injury to Nico Schlotterbeck who came off at half-time after a collision with Amad in the first half. Germany did look shakier at the back with Rudiger in there in the second half so Nagelsmann will hope it’s just a knock for the Dortmund centre-back, ultimately it’s a brilliant win for Germany who will now most likely top the group barring a disaster against Ecuador in the final game. Can Germany go all the way in this World Cup? I’m still not convinced.
A lesson to be learnt for the Ivory Coast. I don’t even know where to start with Ivory Coast today as I thought they actually played a near-perfect game on the counter-attack, the goal came through Yan Diomande skinning Kimmich with Kessie getting some luck with the rebound but you can’t say Ivory Coast didn’t deserve it. They started the second half brilliantly but just lacked any composure whatsoever to put the game to bed which allowed Germany to get back into the game, then even at 1-1 they had multiple chances on the break to go back in front culminating in Adingra taking a horrifying touch after Pepe’s pass when he should just hit it first time. A decision in the end that cost the Ivory Coast all three points, in terms of positives there’s plenty to go over starting with Christ Inao Oulai who was spectacular in the midfield and at just 20 years old I’d be shocked if he didn’t get a move following this World Cup as he’s been brilliant in these first two games. They did suffer a devastating injury late in the game with Wilfried Singo pulling his hamstring which unfortunately ends his World Cup and is a huge blow to the Ivory Coast at the back and going forward, overall a disappointment for the Ivory Coast but a win against Curacao would secure 2nd place in the group, a success in my opinion.
Do Germany have enough to win this tournament? After the Curacao game last week I think some people got carried away with Germany’s chances at this World Cup, it’s easy to forget that Germany have been grouped in the last two World Cups in 2018 and 2022 so there’s not much tournament experience in this squad other than Manuel Neuer. I do think they were a better side in the 2024 Euros when Musiala and Wirtz where on top form which we haven’t seen so far in this World Cup, although Havertz looked good in the first game I think we’ve seen he can’t lead the line up against a top defence which you can argue Ivory Coast don’t even have. Deniz Undav was excellent when he came on and I think Nagelsmann has no other choice than to start him in the next game, whether that’s over Havertz or not I’m not so sure. Obviously you never discount the Germans but I don’t see them winning this World Cup.
What has this done to the group? Germany now sit top of the group with Ecuador in the last game who would need to beat Curacao and Germany to top the group along with Ivory Coast failing to win against Curacao in the last game, Ivory Coast only need a point against Curacao to qualify for the Round of 32 which you’d imagine they’ll get. Ecuador play Curacao later on this evening and need to win to have a chance of going through, a draw would mean that they need to beat Germany in order to qualify. Surely Ecuador beat Curacao tonight?