Top News

The German national team secured a narrow win over the United States in a friendly match ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Kai Havertz’s lightning-fast goal shocked the home side as the United States succumbed to Germany in their pre-World Cup clash.

The international friendly took place over the weekend on Sunday (7 June 2026) in the early hours (local time).

The match featured two of the World Cup 2026 participants — the United States and Germany — facing off in a competitive encounter.

The game was held at Soldier Field Stadium in Chicago.

Facing one of the 2026 World Cup host nations, Germany came out on top with a narrow 2-1 victory over the United States.

Germany’s goals came courtesy of Kai Havertz and Leroy Sane, while the United States pulled one back through a long-range strike from Antonee Robinson.

Under pouring rain, Germany started aggressively right from kick-off.

Just two minutes into the game, the United States were stunned when Die Mannschaft took a 1-0 lead thanks to a header from Kai Havertz.

Connecting with a free kick delivered by Joshua Kimmich from just outside the penalty area, Havertz nodded the ball home unmarked in front of the American goal.

The United States tried to respond by waiting for opportunities to launch counter-attacks.

Both sides exchanged attacks with high intensity as the game reached the 30-minute mark.

Eventually, the home crowd erupted when the score was levelled 1-1 through a spectacular goal from Antonee Robinson in the 37th minute.

A clearance from Jonathan Tah following a corner kick landed perfectly for Robinson outside the box.

The left-back struck the ball first time with his left foot, sending it past Oliver Baumann into the net.

In the closing minutes of the first half, the United States played more aggressively, forcing Germany to defend deeper.

The attacking trio of Folarin Balogun, Christian Pulisic, and Sergino Dest proved threatening with their pace on the counter.

However, the score remained 1-1 as the teams went into the break.

In the second half, both sides continued their attacking approach without backing down.

It was Julian Nagelsmann’s men who regained the lead in the 57th minute through Leroy Sane.

Capitalising on a pass from Havertz, who beat the offside trap inside the box, Sane fired a precise low shot with his left foot into the bottom-right corner of the United States goal. Germany 2-1 USA.

The match saw several stoppages due to intense physical duels between players from both teams.

Both sides continued to fight hard as the clock passed the 75-minute mark.

In the 85th minute, the United States nearly equalised when Brenden Aaronson unleashed a powerful long-range effort.

However, Oliver Baumann’s quick reflexes denied Aaronson’s attempt, conceding only a corner kick.

Tensions flared near the end when Timothy Weah made a challenge considered dangerous on David Raum, sparking brief commotion between the two sides.

At the final whistle, Germany successfully held on to their 2-1 advantage over the United States.

United States 1-2 Germany (Antonee Robinson 37'; Kai Havertz 2', Leroy Sane 57')

Line-ups for the friendly ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup:

United States (4-2-3-1): 24-Matthew Freese; 16-Alexander Freeman, 12-Miles Robinson, 13-Tim Ream, 5-Antonee Robinson; 8-Weston McKennie, 4-Tyler Adams; 2-Sergino Dest, 17-Malik Tillman, 10-Christian Pulisic; 20-Folarin Balogun

Coach: Mauricio Pochettino

Germany (4-2-3-1): 12-Oliver Baumann; 6-Joshua Kimmich, 4-Jonathan Tah, 15-Nico Schlotterbeck, 18-Nathaniel Brown; 23-Felix Nmecha, 5-Aleksandar Pavlovic; 19-Leroy Sane, 10-Jamal Musiala, 17-Florian Wirtz; 7-Kai Havertz

Coach: Julian Nagelsmann