TORONTO — Substitutes helped win the day for Germany in a 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast that wasn't in hand until late in stoppage time on Saturday at Toronto Stadium.
Deniz Undav scored twice after being subbed on in the second half to help his team clinch a spot in the knockout phase at the FIFA World Cup.
"We want to achieve the most and the most is the title," Undav said, his player of the match trophy at his side. "We will do everything for it."
The four-time World Cup champions have opened with two victories and will make it out of group play for the first time since winning the tournament in 2014.
Ivory Coast's Franck Kessie opened the scoring in the 30th minute. Undav tied the game in the 68th minute and added the winner in the 94th, four minutes into the six-minute stoppage-time allotment.
"Deniz is someone who doesn't need to be prepared, he can jump in right away," German coach Julian Nagelsmann said via an interpreter.
Both teams were coming off victories in their respective Group E openers. Germany dumped Curaçao 7-1 in Houston last weekend while Ivory Coast shaded Ecuador 1-0 in Philadelphia.
It was a decidedly pro-German crowd of 43,036 that packed the lakefront venue on a glorious spring afternoon.
The northern stands were awash in German colours with various club flags draped over the grandstands. Pockets of Ivory Coast supporters dotted some of the southern sections.
Germany tested goalkeeper Yahia Fofana early, forcing him to make a diving save on a Kai Havertz header.
Ranked 33rd in the world, Ivory Coast is dangerous on the counterattack and can be crafty up top.
Wilfried Singo had a chance in the 12th minute but his half-volley from the top of the area was blocked by a defender.
The 10th-ranked Germans thought they scored in the 22nd minute when Aleksandar Pavlovic collided with Fofana after a cross, with the ball glancing off the goalkeeper's hands and into the net. Paraguayan referee Juan Gabriel Benitez called a foul instead.
After a couple miscues earlier in the half, Ivory Coast's Yan Diomande found his form by streaking down the left flank and crossing a ball to Amad Diallo, who briefly lost it in his feet before sending it on net.
His shot was blocked but Kessie one-timed the rebound past goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
In the 39th minute, the Germans again thought they had scored after Odilon Kossounou stumbled near the 18-yard box line. Play was allowed to continue for a few seconds but the foul had been called.
Germany upped the tempo after halftime and was rewarded when Undav volleyed a cross from Nadiem Amiri into the net. Both Amiri and Undav had subbed on eight minutes earlier.
"I have an amazing feeling at the moment," Amiri said afterwards. "It's like a dream."
Undav's momentum carried him into the netting as the German fans above him roared in delight at the equalizer.
Ivory Coast's Simon Adingra, all alone in the area late in the second half, rued his decision to settle a pass rather than one-time it on goal. Germany cleared the zone and Adingra looked skyward as he ran down the field.
"We wanted to make history today because we knew we could win this game," Diallo said. "But they have quality on their team that made a difference."
Undav made Ivory Coast pay moments later. Felix Nmecha split the defenders with a pass that his teammate stopped with his right foot before swivelling and burying it with his left.
"(It) was fabulous to watch," Nagelsmann said.
Ivory Coast striker Elye Wahi, under investigation for alleged betting-related offences, remained on the bench. He trained with his teammates Friday after receiving late authorization to enter Canada.
The Ivorian soccer federation initially said the 23-year-old was not going to be able to cross the border from the United States. On Thursday, the federation issued a statement saying the necessary authorizations had been obtained.
"I opted for a profile that was more athletic," Ivory Coast coach Emerse Fae, via an interpreter, said of his lineup decision.
Germany will next face Ecuador on Thursday in East Rutherford, N.J. Ivory Coast will return to Philadelphia to play Curaçao the same day.
The Elephants are looking for their first knockout stage appearance and could still qualify.
This was the third of six games at Toronto Stadium. Canada tied Bosnia-Herzegovina 1-1 in the opener here last week and Ghana upset Panama 1-0 on Wednesday.
