Germany reached the knockout phase at the 2026 FIFA World Cup following a dramatic 2-1 comeback win against Cote d'Ivoire sealed by Deniz Undav's stoppage-time winner in a tense Group E clash on Saturday in Toronto.

Cote d'Ivoire took control of the match in the first half when captain Franck Kessie blasted in a rebound in the 30th minute, giving the African side a deserved lead following a lively start.

Germany struggled to find fluency before the break, with a disallowed effort from Kai Havertz adding to its frustration, while the Ivorians continued to threaten through Amad Diallo and teenager Yan Diomande.

Coach Julian Nagelsmann changed the German lineup after the hour mark, introducing fresh attacking options that immediately turbocharged the European side's tempo while pushing Cote d'Ivoire deeper into its own half of the field.

One of those substitutes, Undav, brought the Germans level in the 68th minute, finishing cleanly following a cross from Nadiem Amiri to shift the momentum.

Undav then completed the turnaround in the 94th minute, reacting quickly to a pass from Felix Nmecha and converting under pressure to seal the victory and send Germany into the round of 32.

In the day's other matches, the Netherlands produced a dominant display to rise to the top of Group F after a 5-1 win over Sweden, with Brian Brobbey and Cody Gakpo both scoring twice in a one-sided rout.

Dutch coach Ronald Koeman opted to start Brobbey ahead of Crysencio Summerville, a move that paid off immediately as the forward struck twice in the opening 17 minutes, completing a pair of flowing moves with close-range finishes. The Swedes briefly thought they had responded before halftime, but a VAR review ruled the effort from a set piece offside.

Gakpo took control early in the second half with two quick goals, capitalizing on defensive errors and sharp counterattacks to extend the lead, before Sweden's Anthony Elanga pulled one back. Summerville ended any hopes of a late resurgence, however, adding a fifth in the final minute to wrap up a comprehensive victory for the Netherlands.

Curacao earned a historic first World Cup point after a scoreless draw with Ecuador in Kansas City, as goalkeeper Eloy Room delivered a record-breaking performance that kept the Caribbean side alive in Group E.

Room produced a series of outstanding saves from the opening minutes, repeatedly denying Enner Valencia and Gonzalo Plata as Ecuador piled on pressure, before also standing firm against late chances including a close-range header and a powerful strike from inside the box.

Despite long spells under pressure, Curacao created occasional openings of their own through Tahith Chong and Juninho Bacuna, but Room remained the pivotal figure throughout the contest, producing 15 saves in total to clinch a result that kept Dick Advocaat's side in contention ahead of its final group stage match against Cote d'Ivoire.

The late contest in Group F saw Japan defeat Tunisia 4-0 in Guadalupe, Mexico.