A brace from substitute Deniz Undave gave Germany a late 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast and a place in the last 16 of the World Cup.
Julian Nagelsmann’s side thrashed Curacao by six goals in the opening match of the tournament, but were defeated at Toronto Stadium after Franck Kessier scored in the 30th minute.
Ivory Coast made full use of their advantage but Nagelsmann’s mid-game trickery turned the tide in Germany’s favor after substitutes Nadiem Amiri and Undave combined to equalize in the 68th minute before the latter struck deep in stoppage time to claim the points.
Germany scored seven goals in their World Cup opener and went into the game in Toronto with the same goal after Kai Havertz picked up the ball shortly after kick-off.
Shortly after, Arsenal striker Havertz was thwarted by Ivory Coast goalkeeper Yahya Fofana before Nico Schlotterbeck required treatment.
With Schlotterbeck able to continue, Germany continued to press and after Jamal Musiala shot wide, Aleksandar Pavlovich put the ball into the net midway through the first half, but it was sent off for a foul on Fofana.
After the first kick with their backs against the wall, Ivory Coast began to show more ambition and took the lead in the 30th minute.
Yann Diomande burst down the left and fired in a dangerous cross that Amad Diallo failed to convert after Nathaniel Brown blocked the ball on the line, but Kessie fired home to stun Germany.
Deniz Undav is one of the top scorers at the World Cup.
Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images
Havertz had a goal disallowed soon after, before Emers Fay saw Ivory Coast start the second period strongly.
Crist Inao Ulay took a decent chance before Diomande fired his volley wide of goal.
Nagelsmann rolled the dice on the hour mark, making a triple substitution.
Amiri, Jamie Leveling and Undav were introduced and the two equalized with 22 minutes remaining.
After being given too much time on the right flank, Amiri struck Undavu with a wonderful curled cross which he converted with a controlled volley.
Frustration grew in the 80th minute when Wilfried Singo suffered a muscle injury but returned to the field and fell, prompting an angry reaction from Nagelsmann.
A wild finish followed with Simon Adingra beaten in excellent position before Fofana denied Brown and Amiri.
There was still time for Germany to claim a decisive victory in the fourth minute of stoppage time when Felix Nmecha passed to Undave, who controlled the ball and fired home for a 2-1 win.