03/30/26 04:00:00
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03/30 15:58 CDT Deniz Undav makes his World Cup case for Germany with winning
goal in Ghana friendly
Deniz Undav makes his World Cup case for Germany with winning goal in Ghana
friendly
STUTTGART, Germany (AP) --- Deniz Undav turned up the pressure on Germany coach
Julian Nagelsmann to select him for the World Cup after he scored the 2-1
winner against Ghana on Monday to back up strong club form.
Undav hadn't played for Germany since June but seven goals in his last six
Bundesliga games helped him earn a recall. Germany was playing the friendly at
the home stadium of his club Stuttgart and fans chanted for Undav long before
he came off the bench.
The game seemed to be fizzling out to a draw when he flicked the ball over
Ghana's goalkeeper in the 88th minute to give Germany a seventh successive win.
Ghana's Abdul Fatuwu earlier scored on the counter to cancel out Kai Havertz's
penalty for Germany.
After Florian Wirtz's spectacular attacking display in Germany's 4-3 win
against Switzerland, Germany was expected to score high against an opponent
coming off a 5-1 loss to Austria. It ended up being a subdued win in constant
driving rain.
Nick Woltemade started in one of four German changes but his main impact was
heading against the bar in the second half.
Havertz put Germany ahead with his penalty just before halftime after Jonas
Adjetey blocked a shot with his arm. Ghana leveled on the counter in the 70th
when Germany-born Derrick Khn surged down the left flank, beat defender Josha
Vagnoman and crossed low for Fatawu to score.
Ghana defender Kojo Peprah Oppong of Nice had to be helped off the field after
injuring his left leg challenging Woltemade.
Germany has further pre-World Cup friendlies against Finland in May and co-host
the United States in June before facing Curacao, the Ivory Coast and Ecuador in
Group E of the tournament.
Ghana has lost four friendlies in a row. It's in Group L with Panama, England
and Croatia.
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