Stuttgart – A late goal from VfB Stuttgart forward Deniz Undav secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory for the German national team against Ghana in a friendly match played Monday evening at the Mercedes-Benz Arena. The win, achieved despite a less-than-spectacular performance, provides a boost for Die Mannschaft as they prepare for the upcoming World Cup tournament.
Germany extended their winning streak to two games under head coach Julian Nagelsmann, following a recent 4-3 victory over Switzerland. Kai Havertz opened the scoring for the hosts in the 46th minute, converting a penalty awarded after a handball. However, Ghana responded through Fatawu Issahaku in the 70th minute, setting the stage for a tense finish. It was Undav, introduced as a substitute, who ultimately proved to be the match-winner, finding the back of the net in the 88th minute.
Havertz Breaks Deadlock, Undav Delivers Decisive Blow
The match, played under intermittent heavy rain, wasn’t a display of attacking fireworks, but Germany maintained offensive control throughout much of the contest. Havertz’s goal, his first for the national team in over 16 months, came from the penalty spot after a controversial handball decision. The incident mirrored a similar situation from the 2024 European Championship, with the same referee, Stuart Atwell, involved in both instances.
While Havertz’s goal provided a lead, Ghana proved to be a resilient opponent. Issahaku’s equalizer injected urgency into the game and the visitors threatened to snatch a victory. However, Undav’s late intervention, sparked by a headed pass from Leroy Sané, sealed the result for Germany. The VfB Stuttgart striker, who had been urged on by the home crowd even while on the bench, controlled the ball with his left thigh and powerfully finished with his right foot – a typical Undav move, according to reports.
Nagelsmann’s Tactical Choices and Undav’s Role
Nagelsmann opted to start with Nick Woltemade as the central striker, with Havertz deployed on the right wing. This decision meant Undav began the match on the bench, despite strong calls from the Stuttgart faithful for his inclusion. Nagelsmann had previously indicated that he believes Undav is most effective coming off the bench, when opposing defenses are fatigued. The coach’s strategy proved prescient, as Undav’s fresh legs and clinical finishing ultimately made the difference.
The victory wasn’t without its blemishes. Josha Vagnoman, the Stuttgart defender, was at fault for Ghana’s equalizer, losing the crucial duel that allowed Issahaku to score. However, the overall performance provided a positive signal ahead of the World Cup, and Undav’s goal will undoubtedly fuel his confidence.
Looking Ahead: Remaining World Cup Warm-Up Matches
Germany has two more friendly matches scheduled before the start of the World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. On May 31st, Die Mannschaft will face Finland in Mainz. Then, on June 6th, they will travel to Chicago to take on the tournament co-hosts, the United States. Nagelsmann is expected to announce his final World Cup squad on May 12th.
The match against Ghana served as a valuable opportunity for Nagelsmann to assess his squad and fine-tune his tactics. While the performance wasn’t flawless, the victory, secured by Deniz Undav’s late goal, provides a positive momentum heading into the final preparations for the World Cup. The Stuttgart crowd clearly demonstrated their support for Undav, chanting his name before he even entered the pitch, and he rewarded their faith with a decisive goal.
The German national team will be looking to build on this win as they continue their preparations for the tournament, aiming to create a strong impression on the world stage. The upcoming matches against Finland and the United States will provide further opportunities to refine their game plan and solidify their squad ahead of the World Cup kickoff on June 11th.
DPA
pgo
