Germany vs Ivory Coast: Franck Kessie Stuns with Rebound

Germany faced Ivory Coast in their World Cup Group E match on June 20, 2026, with both teams looking to secure their places in the knockout rounds. The Germans, having won their opening game against Curacao 7-1, aimed to maintain their momentum. They topped the group after that impressive victory, where Kai Havertz scored twice, alongside goals from Felix Nmecha, Nico Schlotterbeck, Jamal Musiala, Nathaniel Brown, and Deniz Undav.

However, the match against Ivory Coast proved to be more challenging. The Ivorians secured a vital three points in their opener against Ecuador, courtesy of a late goal by Amad Diallo in the 90th minute, and they sought to build on their early success.

As the match unfolded, Franck Kessie shocked the Germans by scoring in the 30th minute following a defensive error. This goal allowed Ivory Coast to lead, stunning the favorite team. Germany had two goals disallowed in the first half; the first came in the 22nd minute when a foul was called after a contentious aerial challenge involving Fofana, while the second was ruled out due to a foul by Musiala leading up to Havertz's finish in the 39th minute.

Despite Germany's pressure, they struggled to find an equalizer and faced a resilient Ivory Coast side, which capitalized on their opportunities. The match continued with high stakes for both teams, and the Ivorians sought to protect their lead as the Germans pressed for a breakthrough.