Deniz Undav’s breakout run at the 2026 World Cup ended in penalty heartbreak on 29 June, as Germany fell to Paraguay in the Round of 32. Undav leaves the tournament with three goals and two assists, all delivered as a substitute in the group stage.
Here is a recap of Undav’s tournament, how Germany’s campaign came to an end, and how to follow the rest of the World Cup this July.
Who is Deniz Undav?
Undav is a 29-year-old centre-forward for Bundesliga club Stuttgart and the Germany national team. He was born on 19 July 1996 in Varel, in north-west Germany.
His route to the top was unusual. He climbed from Germany’s lower leagues through Belgium’s Union Saint-Gilloise and a spell at Brighton before establishing himself at Stuttgart.
Stuttgart’s talisman before the tournament
The 2025-26 season was his best yet. He scored a personal-record 19 Bundesliga goals and signed a contract extension with Stuttgart through 2029.
His super-sub run through the group stage
Undav opened his account in Germany’s 7-1 demolition of Curaçao on 14 June in Houston. He then scored twice off the bench against Ivory Coast in Toronto on 20 June, turning a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 win.
That made him the first Germany player since Miroslav Klose to score in each of his first two World Cup matches. His five goal contributions as a substitute — three goals and two assists — also equalled Roger Milla’s World Cup record from 1990.
- Goals: 3 (one against Curaçao, two against Ivory Coast)
- Assists: 2
- Appearances: 4 (three as a substitute, one start)
Ecuador ends the winning run
Germany’s unbeaten start ended in the final group game. Ecuador beat Germany 2-1 on 25 June at MetLife Stadium near New York, with Nilson Angulo (9′) and Gonzalo Plata (78′) overturning an early Leroy Sané goal.
Undav came on late and forced a save deep into stoppage time, but could not find an equaliser. Germany still topped Group E on the strength of their first two wins.
Germany’s World Cup ends on penalties
Germany’s campaign finished in the Round of 32 on 29 June, beaten by Paraguay on penalties at Gillette Stadium near Boston. It was the nation’s first-ever World Cup shootout defeat.
Manager Julian Nagelsmann handed Undav his first start of the tournament. Julio Enciso put Paraguay ahead in the 42nd minute before Kai Havertz equalised on 54, and neither side found a winner in normal time.
- Score: Germany 1-1 Paraguay after 90 minutes; Paraguay won 4-3 on penalties.
- Key moment: A Jonathan Tah header was ruled out by VAR for goalkeeper interference.
- Shootout: Havertz and Nick Woltemade missed for Germany; Paraguay’s Jose Canale scored the winning kick.
Undav floated an effort wide before being substituted late in the second half. His tournament tally finished at three goals and two assists, all set up during the first two group games.
Where next for Undav and Germany’s fans
With Germany’s campaign over, Undav returns to pre-season duty with Stuttgart. His World Cup goal record stands as one of the tournament’s standout individual stories, even though it did not end in a deep run.
Fans travelling home from the US and Canada host cities can track connections with the Wego flight tracker, and compare Lufthansa flight tracking for return journeys to Germany.
Following the rest of the World Cup
Germany may be out, but the tournament continues across the United States, Canada and Mexico through July. A few Wego links for fans still on the road:
- Search flights to New York and browse hotels in New York ahead of the Round of 16 fixtures at MetLife Stadium.
- Check flights to Boston and hotels in Boston if Gillette Stadium hosts further knockout matches.
- Track live match-day arrivals and departures with the Wego flight tracker.
Book accommodation early. Host cities fill up fast around knockout fixtures, and prices climb as match day nears.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many goals did Deniz Undav score at the 2026 World Cup?
He finished the tournament with three goals and two assists, all in Germany’s first two group matches against Curaçao and Ivory Coast. He did not add to that tally in the Ecuador or Paraguay matches.
What club does Deniz Undav play for?
Undav plays for Bundesliga club VfB Stuttgart. He scored a personal-record 19 league goals in the 2025-26 season and is contracted to the club through 2029.
How did Germany’s 2026 World Cup end?
Germany lost 4-3 on penalties to Paraguay in the Round of 32 on 29 June, after a 1-1 draw at Gillette Stadium near Boston. It was Germany’s first-ever World Cup shootout defeat.
Did Undav start any matches at the World Cup?
Yes. After three substitute appearances in the group stage, he made his first start in Germany’s Round of 32 loss to Paraguay.
Sources
- Bundesliga — World Cup stars of the Bundesliga: Deniz Undav
- Bundesliga — Who is Deniz Undav? Stuttgart and Germany striker profile
- FIFA — 2026 World Cup fixtures and results
- ESPN — Undav fires Germany past Ivory Coast, back to World Cup knockouts
- ESPN — 2026 World Cup stats: Undav equals Roger Milla’s substitute record
- ESPN — Match report: Ecuador 2-1 Germany
- The Analyst (Opta) — Ecuador vs Germany stats
- Sky Sports — Germany vs Paraguay match report
- France 24 — Paraguay knock Germany out of the World Cup on penalties
- ESPN — Germany goal vs Paraguay disallowed by VAR
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