He once worked on a factory floor. Now Deniz Undav comes off the bench and wins World Cup matches. Germany are through to the knockout stage for the first time since lifting the trophy in 2014 — and England could be on a collision course with one of international football’s most loaded fixtures.
Germany into the last 16: the comeback nobody saw coming — and England’s possible nightmare
Germany beat Ivory Coast 2-1 in a stunning second-half comeback to reach the World Cup 2026 knockout stage — their first appearance in the last 16 since winning the whole thing in 2014. The man who did it? Deniz Undav, two goals, off the bench. Again.
For England fans, this is not abstract. Depending on how the groups play out, a Germany vs England quarter-final is a realistic possibility. England have not beaten Germany in a major tournament knockout since 1966. That record remains very much alive.
Nagelsmann’s Germany is not the stuttering side that went out in the group stage in 2018 or was knocked out in the round of 16 in 2022. This is a team that knows how to win, how to suffer, and how to find a way. That should worry every side left in this tournament.
Deniz Undav: 5 goal involvements in 2 substitute appearances — a World Cup record
3 goals and 2 assists in 2 appearances off the bench: Deniz Undav equals the record for most goal involvements by a substitute in a single World Cup. The numbers are verified, and they are extraordinary.
Julian Nagelsmann publicly questioned Undav’s concentration levels before the tournament. That criticism has aged poorly. Two goals against Ivory Coast in the second half, when defences are tired and legs are heavy, is the answer of a player who knows exactly what he brings to the game.
England have their own super-sub questions to answer, but right now nobody in this tournament is doing it better from the bench than Undav. Not even close.
From factory worker to World Cup match-winner: Undav’s remarkable journey
Deniz Undav worked on a factory floor before making it in professional football. His route to the top included spells in the lower divisions of German football, a stint at Beerschot in Belgium, Brighton in the Premier League, and finally Stuttgart — where he scored 18 Bundesliga goals in 2023-24.
Brighton fans will remember him with warmth. He spent two seasons there without fully nailing down a starting spot, yet contributed enough to earn a move to Stuttgart. England should also remember him, because he was in their top flight, being watched and assessed.
The factory floor story is not just a great headline. It speaks to a mentality: nothing is given, everything must be earned. When Undav gets his chance — whether it is 60 minutes in or 80 minutes in — he takes it.
Can England face Germany at World Cup 2026 — and how worried should they be?
England are through from Group L. Germany qualified from their group. Bracket mathematics could deliver a Germany vs England quarter-final in the 2026 World Cup — one of international football’s most loaded fixtures, carrying the weight of 1966, 1990, 2010 and everything in between.
England beat Germany 2-0 in a Wembley friendly in 2021, but that is very different from a World Cup knockout game. The last time the two sides met in a competitive major tournament knockout, Germany won 4-1 at the 2010 World Cup in Bloemfontein.
With Undav on the bench alongside the creativity of Wirtz and Musiala in the starting XI, Germany represent a genuine threat to anyone’s World Cup ambitions — including England’s.
What Germany’s World Cup 2026 form tells us about their title credentials
Two games, one win-from-behind, a substitute who has outscored most starting strikers in the tournament: Germany look like a side finding their groove at exactly the right time. That is a dangerous combination in a knockout format.
Nagelsmann has built depth across every position. Wirtz, Musiala and Havertz give him technical quality in the starting XI. Undav gives him a guaranteed game-changer on the bench. Very few teams in this tournament can say the same about both.
Germany are not the favourite to win the World Cup 2026 — but they are exactly the kind of team that can eliminate whoever is. England, if they face them, will need their best performance of the tournament. And then some.
FAQ
How many goals has Deniz Undav scored at the 2026 World Cup?
Deniz Undav has scored 3 goals and provided 2 assists in just 2 substitute appearances at the 2026 World Cup, giving him 5 goal involvements — equalling the record for a substitute in a single World Cup tournament.
Are Germany through to the knockout stage of the 2026 World Cup?
Yes. Germany beat Ivory Coast 2-1 in a dramatic comeback, with Undav scoring twice off the bench. It is their first appearance in the World Cup knockout stage since winning the tournament in 2014.
Could England face Germany at the 2026 World Cup?
Based on the tournament bracket, England and Germany could meet in the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup. England have not beaten Germany in a major tournament knockout since the 1966 World Cup final.
Who is Deniz Undav and what club does he play for?
Deniz Undav is a 28-year-old German striker who plays for VfB Stuttgart in the Bundesliga. He scored 18 league goals in 2023-24 and previously played for Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League.
What is the story behind Undav working on a factory floor?
Before becoming a professional footballer, Deniz Undav worked in a factory. He made his way through the lower divisions of German football before eventually reaching the top level via Belgium and England, making his World Cup debut at age 28.
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