STAR SPORTS DESK

Germany will look to continue their impressive march towards the knockout stage when they face Ivory Coast in a Group E clash at Toronto Stadium on Saturday.

The four-time world champions produced the most emphatic result of the opening round, dismantling World Cup debutants Curacao 7-1 to extend their winning streak to 10 matches in all competitions. It is Germany’s longest run of victories since Josef Derwall’s side won 12 consecutive games between May 1979 and June 1980.

Germany forward Kai Havertz, who struck a brace against Curacao, is now the only player to score for Germany at each of the last four major tournaments -- Euro 2020, the 2022 World Cup, Euro 2024 and the 2026 World Cup. His eight goals across those competitions are twice as many as any of his Germany teammates, with Jamal Musiala and Niclas Fullkrug next on four.

Yet Germany’s biggest challenge may come from a player who knows the Bundesliga as well as they do.

Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande has emerged as one of world football’s fastest-rising stars. The 19-year-old scored his first professional goal just 13 months ago while playing for Leganes in Spain before earning a move to RB Leipzig in July 2025. He responded with 12 Bundesliga goals and eight assists in his debut campaign, helping Leipzig secure third place and a Champions League berth.

His performances have attracted Europe’s elite, with reports suggesting Liverpool have already seen a €100 million bid rejected.

“He has had a brutal development. A year ago hardly anyone knew him,” Germany captain Joshua Kimmich said.

“He just had an outstanding season even though Leipzig had some problems. He was consistent and very spectacular. His dribbling is exceptional with this start-stop dribbling, with extreme acceleration. Amazing speed. A very good player.”

Diomande’s pace and creativity inspired Ivory Coast to a dramatic 1-0 victory over Ecuador in their opener, with Amad Diallo scoring a 90th-minute winner in a classic smash-and-grab success. The Elephants, however, have never won more than one match at a single World Cup.

Germany, meanwhile, have their own target. Not since the 2006 World Cup on home soil, when they defeated Costa Rica and Poland, have they won their opening two matches at the tournament.

There is one area of concern for Nagelsmann. Germany have gone seven consecutive World Cup matches without keeping a clean sheet.

Saturday’s encounter will be only the second meeting between the two nations and the first in competitive football. Their only previous clash ended in a 2-2 friendly draw in November 2009.