USA succumbs to Germany efficiency and exits World Cup

It was the first match without a safety net for the USA in this U-17 World Cup. Segares’ team, coming off a resounding loss to France, couldn’t afford any more mistakes throughout the tournament if they aimed to become champions. Germany, on the other hand, had an impeccable group stage, scoring an impressive nine goals in three matches.

Germany sends USA kids packing

The game started with both teams showing respect and awareness of their opponent’s offensive potential. However, the Europeans began to find ways to penetrate Segares’ defensive system and registered the first four shots on goal of the match.

In this course of events, Herrmann, a key player in orchestrating the offensive plays, ruthlessly scored before the quarter-hour mark. This goal seemed to wake the US team, which began to dominate, and after several attempts to reach the opponent’s goal, they managed to thread a ball to the efficient Habroune, who equalized in the 24th minute with an impeccable finish.

The leveller brought back a conservative mindset to both teams, and under these circumstances, the German team performed much better. Ten minutes before halftime, once again, the decisive Herrmann set up Moerstedt, who, with a well-placed shot, put his team ahead again at a crucial moment.

The last minutes of the first half passed without further goals, and then the second half began with the North Americans carrying a renewed determination to dominate and tie the game. As minutes passed, this became increasingly challenging. The German defense and goalkeeper thwarted a couple of good opportunities from Medina and Berchimas, the two most proactive players for the USA.

Late drama in U17 World Cup

With around 10 minutes left, as the USA entered a worrying phase where the equalizing goal became more and more urgent, it arrived in the least expected manner. A low cross-shot from Vazquez found no one to deflect it, and thanks to the passivity of the German defense, it sneaked in to bring the score to 2-2.

Sometimes football shows no mercy, though, and the Americans experienced it today at the Jalak Harupat Stadium in Bandung. Yalcinkaya, who had just entered the field, seized on a lapse in the North American defense to penetrate the opposing area. After a couple of feints, he struck forcefully to the near post, making it 3-2, an insurmountable lead for the US team bidding farewell to the tournament. Germany, on the other hand, will face Spain in the quarterfinals.