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Deniz Undav Emerges as Germany's Super-Sub at World Cup

His three goals off the bench and top place in FIFA’s Power Rankings have forced fresh questions about Germany’s starting lineup for the Round of 16.

Overview

  • Undav has scored three World Cup goals largely as a substitute, and his contributions helped Germany finish top of its group and prepare to face Paraguay on Monday.
  • FIFA’s Power Rankings put Undav at the top of the tournament’s attacking measure because the metric rewards impact per appearance and treats substitute contributions prominently.
  • His decisive moments include a goal and an assist after coming on against Curaçao and a late equalizer and winner versus Ivory Coast, each time changing the flow of the match.
  • Undav’s rise follows a non-linear club path from lower German leagues to Union Saint-Gilloise, a move to Brighton and a breakout at VfB Stuttgart, where he won the 2025 DFB-Pokal and scored prolifically.
  • Reporters and former players highlight his working-class backstory and late national-team debut in March 2024, and pundits are now debating whether his form should force Julian Nagelsmann to move him into the starting XI.