Germany have found a new goal-scoring hero at the FIFA World Cup 2026, and his name is Deniz Undav.
The 29-year-old forward came off the bench and scored twice as Germany defeated Ivory Coast 2-1 early on Sunday morning, helping the four-time champions secure a place in the knockout stage.
Undav changed the game after being introduced in the second half.
Just eight minutes after coming on, he opened the scoring for Germany in the 68th minute when Nadiem Amiri played a long ball forward.
Kai Havertz allowed the pass to go through, and Undav made no mistake as he smashed the ball into the net.
Germany were trailing after Ivory Coast captain Franck Kessie had given his team the lead in the 30th minute.
But Undav’s impact in the second half helped Germany complete a comeback.
He scored again in stoppage time after receiving a pass from Felix Nmecha and fired past goalkeeper Yahia Fofana to seal a 2-1 victory.
He had also scored in Germany’s opening match against Curacao, where he played a major role in the 7-1 win with a goal and two assists.
More from Football Germany vs Curacao Highlights, FIFA World Cup 2026: FT GER 7-1 CUW; Havertz's brace helps Germany demolish debutants Germany's 7-1 thrashing of Curacao smashes records, rekindles old memories: 'Is there a more traumatic scoreline?' Undav's impact 😮💨#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/WBslPWIykC — FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 20, 2026 Who is Deniz Undav?
Undav was born in July 1996 in Varel, Germany, and he grew up in Achim near Bremen.
His parents are Kurdish Yazidis from Turkey.
His grandfather moved to Germany after the 1980 military coup in Turkey, during a period when many Yazidis were leaving the region due to persecution.
Undav comes from a football-loving family, and his brother Rocat is also a player who represents TSV Achim, the same club that the German international started his youth career with.
Undav has become the first player of Yazidi heritage to represent Germany in an international tournament.
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The broadcasting controversy, explained Also Read: FIFA World Cup 2026 points table standings: Netherlands topple Sweden from top of Group F The forward currently plays for Bundesliga club VfB Stuttgart, where he has developed into one of Germany’s most reliable attacking players.
Undav received his first Germany call-up in March 2024.
Since then, he has quickly become an important part of the national team, scoring nine goals in 11 appearances.
The last time Germany reached the knockout stage of the World Cup, they went on to lift the trophy in 2014.
