During Germany’s World Cup warm-up match against Finland, Kurdish German VfB Stuttgart star and top scorer Deniz Undav scored two goals and provided an assist in Germany’s 4-0 victory.

“The World Cup tune-up gave Undav a chance to stake his claim to a starting role for the team — and he was in the midst of taking full advantage of that opportunity before an injury felled him,” the football website Bavarian Football Works wrote.Just minutes after his second goal, Undav was injured and had to leave the match, the German football site added.

“DENIZ UNDAV WITH A BRACE! WHAT A PLAYER! 2 GOALS + 1 ASSIST TODAY FOR HIM!” the X account GoalsZone posted after the match.

Born in 1996 in Achim, Germany, Undav is the son of Kurdish Yezidi parents originally from Viranşehir in the Kurdish-majority province of Urfa in southeastern Turkey. He has previously faced abuse for speaking publicly about his Kurdish roots.

According to Bianet, Undav attracted the attention of European clubs during his time with the Belgian team Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, where he scored 25 goals in 33 matches. His impressive form earned him a move to Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion.

In 2024, he joined VfB Stuttgart on loan with a €12 million purchase option. Since arriving at the club, Undav has emerged as one of the Bundesliga’s standout performers, recording 19 goals and 10 assists in 33 appearances across the Bundesliga and German Cup competitions.

Undav has often celebrated his goals with a Kurdish dance, drawing attention from Kurdish fans and media.