LOS ANGELES: High-scoring Germany face a powerful Ivory Coast side at the World Cup on Saturday with the winner guaranteed a place in the last 32, while Sweden can also book their ticket. Those three nations can join co-hosts the United States and Mexico who are already through. Germany thrashed debutants Curacao 7-1 in their opener and would be confirmed as Group E winners if they defeat Ivory Coast in Toronto and Ecuador fail to beat Curacao in Kansas City. Progressing to the knockout round would be a relief for the Germans who astonishingly have failed to reach that stage since they won their fourth World Cup in Brazil in 2014. So tight are the margins that Ivory Coast could lock up their place in the next round too, if they beat the Germans. Julian Nagelsmann said his team had to be prepared for Ivory Coast’s athleticism. “Their speed is one of their biggest strengths and that’s what I think they do best,” he told reporters, highlighting the French-born Ivorian winger Nicolas Pepe. “During the last game, he was everywhere,” Nagelsmann said of Pepe. Ivory Coast could also count on forward Elye Wahi who has been authorized to enter Canada after initially being denied a visa over reported spot-fixing allegations in France. Sweden face the Netherlands in Houston knowing that a win will secure a place in the knockout round — an extraordinary turnaround for the Scandinavians who only qualified for the World Cup through the Nations League, essentially the back door. Coach Graham Potter warned that Sweden striker Alexander Isak will get “stronger and stronger” as the tournament goes on. Isak had a poor season by his standards, interrupted by frequent injuries, after Liverpool paid Newcastle United a British record £125
