Undav stoppage-time winner seals group as Schlotterbeck faces scan

Undav wins it at the death, Germany top the group

Deniz Undav did it again. Off the bench, stoppage time, 2–1 against Ivory Coast in Winston-Salem on Saturday, and Germany are through as Group E winners with a game to spare (2) (5). Maximilian Beier had put Germany ahead before Ivory Coast pulled level. Then Undav struck deep in added time to seal it. "Everyone feels the significance. After the winner, the whole team piled into the corner, that's a cool sign. That can unlock energy," Julian Nagelsmann said (2).

Undav now has three goals and two assists in two group stage games, all off the bench.

Schlotterbeck injury fear: ankle ligament tear

The win came with a cost. Nico Schlotterbeck left the stadium with a suspected torn ankle ligament after an initial examination (2). An MRI in Winston-Salem today will confirm the diagnosis. If the worst is confirmed, his World Cup is over, a major blow to the back line ahead of the knockout rounds.

Faé accuses Germany of lacking fair play

Ivory Coast coach Emerse Faé was furious after the match. His complaint centres on a first-half incident involving Nathaniel Brown and Wilfried Singo, with Faé demanding more from a team of Germany's stature. "Congratulations to Germany on the win. From such a big nation, one we look up to as an example, I expect more fair play," Faé said (5) (6). The accusation lands on a night that should have been pure celebration.

Klopp wants Scotland in the last 16

Jürgen Klopp has a preference for the knockout draw. "Scotland would be a cool game in the last 16, that'd be in Boston. They'd have time to fill the pubs again," Klopp told MagentaTV (3). Germany face a third-placed team or group runner-up on Monday, June 29.

Late kickoff for the knockout opener, again

The last-16 match will start late in the night again (1). German fans should prepare for another long one.

Ecuador's draw reshapes the third-place table

Ecuador played a 0–0 draw with Curacao, which moves them to fourth in the best third-placed teams ranking (4). That table determines who Germany could face, Scotland, Sweden, Paraguay, Belgium, and others are still in the mix.

Fan reactions

Fans are split between euphoria and anxiety. Undav's record-equalling five goal involvements off the bench, matching Roger Milla's 1990 mark, has supporters calling him the tournament's most impactful substitute. The Schlotterbeck news is hitting hard, with many saying the defence cannot afford to lose him. Read the full discussion on r/soccer.