How Deniz Undav became Germany's most lethal goal-scorer

Germany's fans in Toronto chanted Deniz Undav's name as their side struggled to break down Ivory Coast. Julian Nagelsmann brought him on in the 60th minute, and less than eight minutes later Nadiem Amiri's cross was volleyed home; Undav then struck again in injury time after controlling a pass from Felix Nmecha.

It was his third goal in two substitute appearances at the World Cup, a run that left the 29-year-old laughing at how surreal the moment felt. "I've no idea, really," he said. "I'm just in the right spot at the right time." Undav's rise has not been straightforward.

Released by Werder Bremen as a youngster, he spent time working in a factory while moving through Germany's third and fourth tiers before finding form in Belgium, where he scored 26 goals in 39 games for Union Saint-Gilloise. A 2022 move to Brighton initially looked like too much too soon: the talent was obvious and there was talk at the Amex of him being a natural finisher, but he struggled to reproduce that threat consistently in the Premier League.

Canada, Toronto

deniz undav, germany, world cup, julian nagelsmann, nadiem amiri, felix nmecha, brighton, werder bremen, premier league, belgium