Germany face first real World Cup test against Ivory Coast’s ‘express train’ Yan Diomande

BOSTON – One name on every Germany player’s mind is Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande, whose meteoric rise in the Bundesliga has seen him emerge as the biggest threat to the four-time world champions when they face the African nation in the World Cup on June 20.

The Group E match in Toronto will be the first real test for the Germans, who crushed minnows Curacao 7-1 in their opener and are now on a 10-game winning run, but they are well aware of what is up next.

Their defence will have to stop the powerful 19-year-old Diomande, if they are to make it two wins in a row and advance to the knockout stages of a World Cup for the first time since 2014.

The teenager scored his first professional goal just 13 months ago when he was playing for Leganes in Spain, and got his breakthrough with a move to RB Leipzig in July 2025.

He racked up 12 goals and nine assists in his first Bundesliga season with the German club and has become a major transfer target for top European sides.

Germany captain Joshua Kimmich noted that Diomande had an outstanding season even though Leipzig had some problems. Kimmich added: “He was consistent and very spectacular. His dribbling is exceptional with this start-stop dribbling, with extreme acceleration. Amazing speed.”

Diomande’s pace, creativity and goalscoring abilities helped his club to a third-place finish and a Champions League spot.

Germany, who won their last World Cup title 12 years ago in Brazil, suffered shock group-stage exits in both the 2018 and 2022 editions. They are desperate this time to seal a knockout-stage berth as quickly as possible.

While they easily won their opener, the Ivorians needed a late winner to edge past Ecuador 1-0 and join the Germans on three points.

“We’ll have to keep a very close eye on Diomande. Diomande stands out,” added Germany defender Antonio Rudiger. “But also Nicolas Pepe and Amad Diallo. These are like express trains that you see coming. They love one-on-one situations and the quick transitions.”

In the other Group E match, Ecuador face Curacao in Kansas City knowing that, even at these early stages of the World Cup, the stakes are already rising sharply for both sides after their opening-day defeats.

Ecuador arrived at the tournament as one of South America’s more quietly fancied teams, built on defensive discipline. But their campaign began with frustration against the Ivory Coast.

“When you don’t start the way you wanted, the anxiety appears,” coach Sebastian Beccacece said.

“But now we need more conviction than ever, more belief than ever, more confidence than ever.” REUTERS