Yan Diomande, reportedly being eyed up by the likes of Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain, produced an impressive first-half performance as Ivory Coast lead Germany at the World Cup.
The 19-year-old gave the four-time winners plenty to think about during the opening 45 minutes in Toronto, and it was his cross that led to the only goal of the game so far.
Beating the experienced Joshua Kimmich out wide, Diomande’s delivery caused havoc in the box, with Amad Diallo’s initial effort blocked before Franck Kessie steered home at the second attempt.
It was a shock lead for the African side – who are aiming to progress out of the group for the very first time – with Germany starting strongly and having an Aleksandar Pavlovic header ruled out for a foul on Ivory Coast goalkeeper Yahia Fofana.
As things stand, the Elephants will secure top-spot in Group E, while Germany, if the result stays as it is, will perhaps need to get something from their final game with Ecuador to ensure progress to the knockouts.
Die Mannschaft previously thrashed tournament debutants Curacao 7-1, while Ivory Coast rode their luck at time to eventually emerge 1-0 winners against Ecuador.
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Team line-ups
Germany XI: Neuer, Brown, Tah, Schlotterbeck, Kimmich, Pavlovic, Nmecha, Sane, Musiala, Wirtz, Havertz
Ivory Coast XI: Y. Fofana, Konan, Singo, Kossounou, Agbadou, Kessie, Sangare, Oulai, Bonny, Y. Diomande, Diallo
Where to watch Germany v Ivory Coast: TV and online streams
Germany v Ivory Coast kicks off at 9:00pm on Saturday UK time. It will be broadcast on ITV1 and STV. It will be available to stream via ITVX and the STV Player. Sky subscribers can also stream the game via Sky Go.
Stats for Germany v Ivory Coast
- Ivory Coast are aiming to win multiple games at a World Cup for the first time.
- Germany have not kept a clean sheet in any of their last seven World Cup games.
- Die Mannschaft have won their last 10 games, which marks Germany’s longest winning streak since a 12-game run between May 1979 and June 1980 under Josef Derwall.
- Germany have not won their opening two games at a World Cup since 2006, when they beat Costa Rica and Poland en route to reaching the semi-finals.
- This will be only the second meeting between Germany and Ivory Coast, with their only previous encounter coming in a 2-2 friendly draw in November 2009.
- Germany have lost just one of their eight World Cup games against Africa opposition (W5, D2). That defeat came in a 2-1 loss to Algeria in 1982.
- Ivory Coast have claimed one victory from four World Cup games against European opponents (D1, L2). The Elephants beat Serbia and Montenegro 3-2 in 2006 after their elimination from the group stage.
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