The 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted across North America, delivered another memorable day of group-stage action — and Germany provided the headline act. Super-sub Deniz Undav scored twice off the bench as the four-time champions came from behind to defeat Ivory Coast at the death, securing their first knockout-stage berth since 2014.
The international press was effusive. “Germany is just Germany. You must never write them off,” read one widely quoted reaction. According to Der Spiegel, coach Julian Nagelsmann is now considering starting Undav — a remarkable rise for a player who was still playing semi-professional football at age 23, as The Telegraph noted in a profile of the striker’s improbable journey.
Elsewhere, the Netherlands routed Sweden in a lopsided affair, while Ecuador faced Curaçao in a Group E clash in Kansas City, where a heavily pro-Ecuador crowd filled the stadium. Curaçao, ranked 83rd in the world, face a mountain to climb after being swept aside 7–1 by Germany in their opener.
Brazil’s public sentiment also shifted dramatically. According to O Globo, approval of the Seleção surged 57% after their victory over Haiti, with Matheus Cunha and Vinicius Junior leading fan polls. Meanwhile, France defender William Saliba revealed he has been playing through back pain throughout the tournament. “You have to hold firm,” he told reporters at a press conference near Boston.
The group stage still has compelling matchups ahead, including New Zealand versus Egypt in Vancouver and Uruguay against Cape Verde in Miami — the latter featuring the emotional storyline of Cape Verdean goalkeeper Vozinha’s mother watching from the stands.
