Deniz Undav scored a dramatic 88th-minute winner to give Germany a 2–1 victory over Ghana in a friendly on Monday, strengthening his case for a place in Julian Nagelsmann’s World Cup squad.
The striker, who has Kurdish roots, had not featured for Germany since June but earned a recall after a strong run of form with seven goals in his last six Bundesliga matches for Stuttgart. Playing in front of his club’s home fans, Undav came off the bench to seal Germany’s seventh straight win.
After scoring the decisive goal, Undav celebrated with a Kurdish dance, with the moment widely shared by fans and praised as a proud expression of Kurdish identity on the international stage.
Germany had taken the lead through a Kai Havertz penalty before Ghana equalised on the counter-attack through Abdul Fatuwu. The match looked set for a draw until Undav’s late finish secured the win.
The result continues Germany’s strong preparations ahead of upcoming World Cup friendlies, while Undav’s performance and Kurdish celebration added extra spotlight to his rising role in the national team.
