Germany’s Historic Winning Streak Ahead of the World Cup: Entering the First Game with High Confidence

The «Karl shock» has been absorbed, and the German national team is entering the World Cup with a historic winning streak behind them.

A day after the young star’s tournament exit, the four-time world champions defeated co-host USA in Chicago with a score of 2-1 (1-1). Julian Nagelsmann still has work to do a week before the World Cup opener against underdogs Curaçao.

‘Number nine’ Kai Havertz gave the German team a flying start with his goal after 100 seconds. The USA equalized through a dream goal from Antonee Robinson (37th minute). Leroy Sané (57th minute), who replaced Karl, sealed the ninth consecutive victory – a German team has never entered a World Cup with such a long winning streak.

‘All in all, we played a good game. We are in good form,’ said Havertz to RTL, adding: ‘We need every single player, we need the euphoria, the self-confidence – and we are entering the first game with our chests puffed out.’

63,636 fans in a sold-out Soldier Field witnessed a true test, including the weather: it was muggy and rainy at kick-off at 1:30 PM local time. ‘This is a good introduction to the climatic conditions,’ said national coach Nagelsmann.

Kai Havertz Scores with a Header

Although Chicago is not a tournament venue, it felt ‘a bit like the World Cup’ to him. This also applied to the typical American show, including a slightly delayed flyover above the stadium.

Four players were in focus on the pitch: Oliver Baumann once again deputized in goal for the returning Manuel Neuer, who is still not fully fit. Nathaniel Brown appears to have overtaken his competitor David Raum at left-back, and Felix Nmecha has secured a spot next to Aleksandar Pavlovic in central midfield. Sané is the replacement for Karl on the right wing.

Following Karl’s withdrawal, DFB President Bernd Neuendorf hoped for a ‘reaction of defiance,’ and Sporting Director Rudi Völler hoped ‘that we collect even more sympathy points. The players simply have to burn.’ And they did – Havertz, who joined the team late after the Champions League final, scored with a header from a Joshua Kimmich free-kick.

Just four minutes later, Havertz thought he had scored the supposed 2-0, but the ball had gone out of bounds from Sané’s cross prior to that. Then the sun returned, but the German fire only glowed dimly, and the German penalty area was under pressure time and time again.

However, Nagelsmann’s T-shirt change remained the main talking point until Robinson struck. After Jonathan Tah cleared a corner into the middle, the American volleyed the ball under the crossbar from 18 meters. Driven by Christian Pulisic, the hosts grew stronger and stronger; Tah (44th minute) prevented a 1-2 against the former Dortmund player.

Nico Schlotterbeck Provokes a Scuffle at the End

‘Time difference, weather – after three or four days, it’s impossible to get into rhythm,’ said RTL expert Lothar Matthäus leniently, but he criticized ‘too many errors in build-up play.’ Sané, who had not been convincing until then, at least initiated a chance that Nmecha (49th minute) missed. Sané’s free-kick (54th minute) went over the goal again. ‘Typical for his game,’ said Matthäus sternly, ‘but maybe he’ll come through.’

And he did come through, slotting the ball into the left corner of the goal after preparations by Jamal Musiala and Havertz. Nagelsmann used the last half hour to test further alternatives – including Waldemar Anton at right-back for Kimmich.

The game gradually petered out, and the USA was increasingly unable to put the German team under pressure. Substitute Jamie Leweling (73rd minute) missed another opportunity after a fine pass from Musiala, who improved as the game progressed. Baumann (87th minute) prevented the equalizer with a flying save before Nico Schlotterbeck provoked a scuffle in a heated stoppage time.

German Squad for the 2026 World Cup