Germany Top Group E: Amiri Says Momentum Key Ahead of Ecuador

Nadiem Amiri wants more after “huge” World Cup assist vs Ivory Coast  

Nadiem Amiri hopes his assist in Germany’s 2-1 win over Ivory Coast wasn’t a one-off. Germany top Group E on 6 points and face Ecuador on Thursday with 11 wins in a row.

Nadiem Amiri floated the ball for Deniz Undav to cancel Ivory Coast’s lead and send Germany top of Group E. The 29-year-old now targets more minutes vs Ecuador...

Germany midfielder Nadiem Amiri came off the bench and set up the equaliser in Saturday’s dramatic 2-1 win over Ivory Coast. Now the 29-year-old is hoping that World Cup contribution wasn’t just a one-off.

Amiri floated in a cross for Deniz Undav to cancel Ivory Coast’s 1-0 lead. Germany went on to win, clinching top spot in Group E and a knockout spot before Thursday’s final group game against Ecuador.

“I think every player wants to start well in the ‌tournament. I was not disappointed not to ⁠play against Curacao. I don't ‌need a lot of minutes to get into the game and the Ivory Coast match was the perfect example,” Amiri told a press conference on Monday. “It was a huge moment for me.”

Germany are already through, but Amiri said Thursday’s Ecuador game will feel like a final. He wants the team to keep their winning run going - the Germans have won 11 internationals in a row.

Four-time World Cup winners Germany reached the knockout stage for the first time in 12 years and sit top of the group on 6 points. Ivory Coast are second with 3 points, while Ecuador and Curaçao each have 1 point from two games.

Julian Nagelsmann will likely shuffle his lineup after central defender Nico Schlotterbeck picked up an injury. There’s also growing pressure to drop midfielder Jamal Musiala after his quiet showing against Ivory Coast.

“Ecuador have a very good team but did not start well. We have to be prepared and I hope that I ‌get more playing time but I am ready to be deployed as the coach sees fit,” Amiri said.

“We have to stay ‌in the flow because every win is good for us. It is an extremely important match for us with a lot of fans coming from Germany so we want to win it 100% and we will go in with ⁠maximum intensity,” he said. “We are ⁠all prepared and that's ‌how we approach it - like a final.”