Germany left it late to secure a hard-fought 2-1 win over Ghana in an entertaining international friendly at the MHP Arena in Stuttgart, with substitute Deniz Undav emerging as the decisive figure.
For the Black Stars, it was a performance that blended resilience and promise with late heartbreak, as they pushed one of Europe’s top sides to the limit but ultimately fell short.
Germany dominated possession in the opening stages, patiently probing for openings while dictating the tempo through Joshua Kimmich. Florian Wirtz and Serge Gnabry were lively in attack, stretching Ghana’s defensive shape, but the visitors remained disciplined and compact for much of the first half.
The breakthrough came just before halftime following a controversial VAR decision. Defender Jonas Adjetey was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box, and Kai Havertz made no mistake from the spot, calmly sending goalkeeper Benjamin Asare the wrong way to give Germany a 1-0 lead.
Ghana responded with renewed intensity after the break, showing greater attacking intent and composure. Coach Otto Addo’s tactical adjustments injected energy into the side, and their persistence paid off in the 70th minute.
Substitute Abdul Fatawu Issahaku capitalised on a well-delivered ball from Derrick Köhn, finishing clinically to bring Ghana level at 1-1 and spark belief among the visitors.
With momentum shifting, Ghana grew in confidence. Thomas Partey asserted control in midfield, while Jordan Ayew and Antoine Semenyo posed a constant threat in attack, raising hopes of a comeback result.
However, just as the Black Stars looked set to earn a valuable draw, Germany struck the decisive blow late on. In the 88th minute, Leroy Sané provided a clever headed assist into the path of Deniz Undav, who reacted quickest to fire home from close range and seal the victory.
A late attempt from Semenyo sailed over the bar in stoppage time, confirming Ghana’s narrow defeat.
The result extends Germany’s impressive winning run, while Ghana’s struggles continue, with the Black Stars now winless in their last four matches. Their situation was further complicated by an injury to Kojo Oppong Peprah, who had been expected to fill in for the absent Mohammed Salisu.
Despite the loss, there were clear positives for Ghana. The team showed improved structure, better transitions, and a sharper attacking edge compared to their previous outing. However, lapses in concentration at crucial moments once again proved costly.
Historically, encounters between the two sides have often been closely contested. Ghana famously held Germany to a 2-2 draw at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, while their clash at the 2010 FIFA World Cup ended in a narrow 1-0 win for the Europeans.
While Ghana are still searching for a first victory over Germany, this improved display offers a measure of optimism as they continue rebuilding under Otto Addo ahead of upcoming competitions.
