Undav's double wins it late on for Germany
Recently, Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann publicly criticized Deniz Undav, yet the striker has emerged as a crucial player for Germany at the World Cup. Undav's two goals in the dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over Ivory Coast underscored his importance, propelling Die Mannschaft into the knockout stages for the first time since their 2014 triumph.
With three goals and two assists, Undav has been involved in five goals across two substitute appearances—matching the joint-most goal involvements by a World Cup substitute since 1966, equaling Cameroon's Roger Milla in 1990.
However, Undav's inclusion in Germany's World Cup squad was uncertain following a public disagreement with Nagelsmann after his last-minute winning goal as a substitute against Ghana in March. The striker had openly expressed his ambition to secure a starting role with Germany, prompting Nagelsmann, formerly of RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich, to caution that such comments might place undue pressure on him.
Nagelsmann suggested Undav might not have scored had he started the match, though he later apologized to the forward. Since then, Undav has let his performances speak for themselves, doing so emphatically.
His form has positioned him as a serious contender for a starting spot at the World Cup, having scored nine goals in 11 international appearances.
"Yes, definitely," Nagelsmann said after Saturday's win when asked if Undav could start Germany's final group game against Ecuador on Thursday (21:00 BST). "I said before we can talk a lot about the different approaches. Why should I ruin his flow? He came in twice and got goals twice."
This represents the latest chapter in the remarkable journey of a striker who has consistently defied expectations.
'I had to do that job for the money to live'
With his two goals against Ivory Coast, Undav became the first German player to score in his first two World Cup appearances since Miroslav Klose in 2002, joining elite company. Yet, participating in a World Cup was once a distant dream for Undav, who was rejected by Werder Bremen at age 14.
At 17, Undav earned £120 a week playing semi-professionally in Germany's fourth tier while balancing football with eight-hour factory shifts.
"When Werder told me at 14 that I didn't have a future with them because I was too small, it broke my heart," Undav said in an interview with Belgian outlet 7sur7.
"But I did not abandon hope. I left the family home at 17 to sign for Havelse in the fourth division in Germany where I combined playing and training with working full-time, eight-hour days operating a laser machine in a factory.
"I got up around 4am, went to the factory, then I went to training and got back home around 8pm... before doing it all again the next day.
"I had to do that job for the money to live because I couldn't survive on the money from the football alone."
Undav transferred to Belgian second division side Union Saint-Gilloise in 2020, helping them achieve promotion the following year and then scoring 25 goals in the top flight, which led to a move to Brighton.
After scoring five goals in 22 Premier League appearances during the 2022-23 season, he was loaned to Stuttgart, who signed him permanently in 2024. Undav scored 19 Bundesliga goals in the 2025-26 season, finishing second behind Harry Kane in the top scorers list, securing his World Cup selection.
'Undav has hit highest point for World Cup'
Undav scores twice as Germany fight back to beat Ivory Coast
Nagelsmann has preferred Arsenal's Kai Havertz as striker in Germany's victories over Curacao and Ivory Coast, but Undav has made a compelling case for reconsideration.
"When the game opens up he is great moving around," said the Germany coach.
"I could say keep your flow and it's better you come in as the finisher. He really reached the highest point for the World Cup.
"I could have him in the starting line-up. Every player would love to start, but I think he is happy as it is now because he played an important role and we are happy with his performance.
"For Deniz it was clear, he gave us a lot in the last game when he was a sub. Deniz doesn't need to be prepared, he can jump in right away."
In his last start for Germany, Undav scored twice and provided an assist in a 4-0 friendly win against Finland on 31 May.
"It's a great feeling," said the Stuttgart forward after earning the player-of-the-match award against Ivory Coast.
"I wanted to have it last time, it didn't work. Its wonderful, a fantastic feeling. For me to get the trophy is extraordinary, but the important thing is we won the game and go into the next round and see what happens."
If Undav maintains this form, further accolades could follow, potentially including the ultimate prize as Germany pursue a fifth World Cup title.
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