Deep into stoppage time in Toronto, Deniz Undav swept in his second goal of the night to complete a 2‑1 German comeback against Ivory Coast and send Julian Nagelsmann’s side through to the knockout phase of the 2026 World Cup. The late winner, bundled home after a spell of pressure, gave Germany their first appearance beyond the group stage in 12 years — since the triumphant 2014 campaign — and lent historic weight to what was already a record‑breaking evening for Manuel Neuer.

The 40‑year‑old goalkeeper earned his 21st World Cup cap, surpassing France’s Hugo Lloris for the most appearances by a shot‑stopper in the tournament’s history. Only Miroslav Klose (24) and Lothar Matthäus (25) have represented Germany more often on football’s biggest stage. Neuer, coaxed out of international retirement by Nagelsmann after a strong club season with Bayern Munich, now stands alone on a list that includes Claudio Taffarel, Sepp Maier, Iker Casillas and Fabien Barthez. ‘I was counting the days. I was desperate to play,’ he told FIFA. ‘If you love football, you love it entirely.’ The record arrived in a nerve‑testing contest. Ivory Coast took the lead in the 30th minute, when Franck Kessié pounced on a loose ball after a cross from the left. Germany, who had two first‑half goals disallowed — one for a foul by Jamal Musiala in the build‑up — looked flat until Nagelsmann introduced a trio of substitutes. Nadiem Amiri’s precise cross was headed in by Undav in the 69th minute, and the same substitute slammed in a loose ball deep into added time to send the travelling support into delirium.

Elsewhere, the Netherlands scored five for the second successive match, demolishing Sweden 5‑1 in Houston. Brian Brobbey and Cody Gakpo netted twice each, and Crysencio Summerville added a fifth, extending the Oranje’s World Cup winning streak to 14 matches — a new all‑time record, breaking the mark of 13 set by Brazil. Viktor Gyökeres’s international teammate Anthony Elanga grabbed a consolation for the Swedes.

Paraguay recorded their first win in Group D, edging Turkey 1‑0 through Matías Galarza’s goal after only 66 seconds, the quickest of the tournament so far. The match was also notable for the first sending‑off under FIFA’s new gesture protocol: Miguel Almirón was shown a straight red card after placing his hand over his mouth while speaking to an opponent, a movement now banned in an effort to curb discriminatory signalling. In Group C, Ecuador and Curaçao missed a flurry of chances in a 0‑0 draw.

With Germany fully qualified, attention in Group E turns to Spain’s meeting with Canada for the second knockout berth. The Netherlands temporarily top Group F, awaiting Japan’s clash with Tunisia on Sunday, while Paraguay’s victory leaves Group D wide open.