A Deniz Undav brace saw Germany over the line against Ivory Coast on Saturday night.
Germany took control of the game in the early stages, but it was Ivory Coast who took the lead in the 30th minute via Franck Kessie.
It was Yan Diomande's brilliance on the right flank that created the opening for Emerse Fae's side, taking on Joshua Kimmich before firing a ball across the face of goal. Amad Diallo's effort was blocked, but Kessie was there to seamlessly convert.
As has been the case in a number of World Cup games this tournament, the referee waved off a number of foul appeals and Julian Nagelsmann was growing increasingly frustrated on the sidelines.
It was Nagelsmann's substitutions that changed the outlook of the game in the second half for the four-time World Cup winners.
Ivory Coast looked the more likely of the two teams to find the second goal in the initial phases of the second half, but Nadiem Amiri assisted fellow substitute Deniz Undav in the 68th minute to level the scorings.
Undav wasn't going to stop their, however. Felix Nmecha threaded through a perfectly weighted pass to the Stuttgart centre forward in the 94th minute of the game, and he finished expertly to add his third goal of the tournament - all three of which have come from the bench.
It's a result for the Germans that ensures qualification for the Round of 32, while Ivory Coast should join then if they can avoid defeat against World Cup debutants Curacao on the final Matchweek.
Germany v Ivory Coast Timeline
30' - GOAL for Ivory Coast. Scored by Franck Kessie.
46' - Antonio Rudiger replaced Nico Schlotterbeck (GER).
60' - Jamie Leweling replaced Leroy Sane, Deniz Undav replaced Jamal Musiala & Nadiem Amiri replaced Aleksandar Pavlovic (GER).
68' - GOAL for Germany. Scored by Deniz Undav, assisted by Nadiem Amiri.
75' - Evann Guessand replaced Ange Yoan Bobby, Seko Fofana replaced Ibrahim Sangare & Simon Adringa replaced Amad Diallo (IVO).
82' - Guela Doue replaced Wilfried Singo (IVO).
85' - Nicolas Pepe replaced Yan Diomande (IVO).
85' - Leon Goretzka replaced Kai Havertz (GER).
90+4 - GOAL for Germany. Scored by Deniz Undav, assisted by Felix Nmecha.
Germany v Ivory Coast Match Stats
Germany | 2-1 | Ivory Coast |
59% | Possession | 41% |
1.83 | Expected Goals | 1.23 |
16 | Shots | 9 |
7 | Shots on Target | 2 |
6 | Big Chances | 2 |
5 | Fouls Committed | 7 |
8 | Corners | 3 |
622 | Total Passes | 431 |
26 | Tackles | 20 |
16 | Clearances | 26 |
0 | Yellow Cards | 0 |
0 | Red Cards | 0 |
