Deniz Undav Scores Late Winner as Germany Defeats Ghana 2:1 in World Cup Warm-up

Deniz Undav scored in the 88th minute to give Germany a 2:1 victory over Ghana in a World Cup warm-up friendly at the sold-out Stuttgart Arena on March 30, 2026, extending the national team's winning run to seven consecutive matches. The DFB side had taken the lead through a Kai Havertz handball penalty in first-half stoppage time, before Fatawu Issahaku equalized for Ghana in the 70th minute. Undav, who had been loudly demanded by the home crowd throughout the match, came off the bench to settle the contest and send the into celebration. The win was Germany's second in two friendlies this international window, following a 4:3 result against Switzerland three days earlier.

Havertz ends 16-month international goal drought Kai Havertz, who plays as a forward or attacking midfielder for Arsenal in the Premier League, opened the scoring with a penalty awarded retrospectively by the video assistant referee after defender Jonas Adjetey, who plays for VfL Wolfsburg, handled a shot from Angelo Stiller. It was Havertz's first international goal in more than 16 months, according to reporting from Stern. Germany had dominated the opening period, with Florian Wirtz striking the outside of the post with a free kick in the sixth minute and Ghana goalkeeper Benjamin Asare making a key save from Jonathan Tah after a misjudged cross in the 31st minute. Nick Woltemade, who plays as a forward for Newcastle United in the Premier League, was preferred in attack over Undav from the start and came close to scoring in the fourth minute, narrowly missing the left post after a pass from Havertz. Woltemade also struck the crossbar with a header in the 53rd minute, a chance that would have made it 2:0. Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann made four changes to the starting lineup compared to the Switzerland match, bringing in Alexander Nübel in goal, Nathaniel Brown at left back, Pascal Groß, and Woltemade in place of Oliver Baumann, David Raum, Leon Goretzka, and Leroy Sané.

„I think I scored quite important goals, had good games, especially in the last year. I'm happy that I'm playing here.” — Nick Woltemade via ARD

Ghana's compact defense nearly earns a point Ghana, ranked 73rd in the world according to Die Welt, arrived in Stuttgart after a 1:5 defeat against Austria in Vienna and set up in a compact, deep defensive block to avoid another heavy loss. Their plan to threaten Germany on quick counterattacks bore fruit in the 70th minute, when Fatawu Issahaku, who had just been substituted on, found himself unmarked in the penalty area after an attack down the left flank and equalized. The goal exposed a lapse in Germany's defense, with Stuttgart professional Josha Vagnoman losing the decisive duel, according to Stern. Ghana, a four-time African champion, largely succeeded in keeping the match tight through the second half as Nagelsmann made a total of eight substitutions after the break. Head coach Otto Addo, a former Borussia Dortmund professional, had his side organized and disciplined, though the late Undav goal ultimately denied them a draw. Leroy Sané, who came on as a substitute, was booed by sections of the Stuttgart crowd, prompting Undav to publicly defend his teammate after the final whistle.

„It was a perfect evening. Won the game, scored a goal, top. When Leroy comes on next time or another player, that there is no booing. No matter what a player does, what he is like — you should stand behind the team.” — Deniz Undav via ARD

World Cup squad nomination set for May 12 The friendly served as part of Germany's preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with tournament preparation beginning on May 25 and the squad traveling to the United States at the start of June. Nagelsmann is scheduled to announce his World Cup squad on May 12, 2026, making this match one of the final opportunities for players to stake their claim. Germany's group at the World Cup includes Ivory Coast, Curaçao, and Ecuador — and it was precisely the draw that placed Ivory Coast in Germany's group that forced the DFB to find a replacement friendly opponent, with Ghana selected as a substitute. Despite the victory, Nagelsmann acknowledged there is still work to be done, with the German attack lacking determination and precision for long stretches of the match. Seven consecutive wins, however, provide a firm foundation as the tournament approaches.

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Deutschland, Ghana