CHICAGO (AP) — Leroy Sane scored the equalizer in the 57th minute and Germany beat the United States 2-1 in a friendly on Saturday, snapping a nine-game winning streak heading into the season opener. world cup.
Kai Havertz put the four-time champions ahead in the second minute with a header from a free kick, but Anthony Robinson equalized with a goal in the 37th minute. left foot volley From the top of the arc following a corner kick from Christian Pulisic.
Sane opened the scoring from a short pass from Havertz, firing a diagonal shot between the legs of Miles Robinson that took a slight deflection from a defender and beat goalkeeper Matt Freeze at the far post.
The 16th-ranked United States has lost nine consecutive games to European opponents since 2022.
The U.S. team, hosting the World Cup for the first time since 1994, opens Friday against Paraguay, then faces Australia and Turkey. The United States had not lost in the final game leading up to the World Cup since 2002.
Germany, ranked 10th, will play Curaçao on June 14 in a group that also includes Ivory Coast and Ecuador.
The game drew a sold-out crowd of 63,636 to Soldier Field, the site of the 1994 World Cup opener. The city of Chicago has rejected its bid to host the 2026 World Cup, citing a lack of financial guarantees from FIFA.
The U.S. played without its top defender. Chris RichardsHe has been out of action since May 17th when he tore a ligament in his left ankle.
Germany was without an 18-year-old midfielder Renato Karlwas excluded for world cup After injuring my thigh during training. Oliver Baumann started in goal as Manuel Neuer was resting while recovering from a calf muscle problem.
It was Frees’ 15th starting goal in 18 games.
Die Mannschaft took the lead after a foul by Tyler Adams just outside the penalty area. Havertz headed Joshua Kimmich’s free kick at the top of the six-yard box for his 22nd international goal.
Jonathan Tarr tried to head Pulisic’s corner kick clear, but it went just wide of the area, allowing Robinson to score his fifth international goal. Robinson celebrated with a cartwheel and backflip.
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AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup
