Germany emerged victorious in their final pre-World Cup friendly against hosts USA in Chicago, with a 2-1 scoreline. Here’s a look at the DFB players’ performances.
Kai Havertz opened the scoring for the DFB team in the 2nd minute. Antonee Robinson equalized for the USA in the 37th minute with a stunning direct volley. Leroy Sane secured the 2-1 victory in the 57th minute.
The DFB squad will move into their World Cup base in Winston-Salem on Monday. Their first group stage match against Costa Rica is scheduled for Sunday in Houston.
USA vs. Germany Player Ratings: Oliver Baumann
Returning goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was once again absent from the squad due to calf problems, delaying his comeback. In Neuer’s absence, Baumann was initially untested before being left helpless by Antonee Robinson’s spectacular goal for the 1-1 draw. He was otherwise composed and made two good saves late in the game against Joe Scally (81′) and Brenden Aaronson (87′). Rating: 2.5.
USA vs. Germany Player Ratings: Joshua Kimmich
Kimmich provided a precise free-kick assist for Havertz’s opening goal. He was consistently alert defensively, making a crucial sliding tackle in the 15th minute and a headed clearance in the 18th. However, his build-up play was sometimes too risky, leading to a few unnecessary turnovers. Rating: 2.5.
USA vs. Germany Player Ratings: Jonathan Tah
Tah made several good clearances, but was also unfortunately involved in the lead-up to the 1-1 goal. His clearance of a corner kick fell to Robinson, who scored with a volley. Rating: 3.
USA vs. Germany Player Ratings: Nico Schlotterbeck
Schlotterbeck partnered Tah in defense, as he did against Finland (4-0), rather than former defensive leader Antonio Rüdiger. He was less conspicuous than Tah and occasionally appeared a bit too erratic. He received a yellow card shortly before the end for being involved in a scuffle. Rating: 3.5.
USA vs. Germany Player Ratings: Nathaniel Brown
Brown again started at left-back ahead of David Raum and delivered another solid performance. In the 10th minute, he thwarted a promising USA counter-attack against Sergino Dest. He also made several effective contributions to the attacking play. Rating: 3.
USA vs. Germany Player Ratings: Aleksandar Pavlovic
Pavlovic played some good passes from central midfield. He attempted a long-range shot in the 35th minute that was not dangerous. Rating: 3.
USA vs. Germany Player Ratings: Felix Nmecha
Nmecha had a solid outing alongside Pavlovic. Rating: 3.
USA vs. Germany Player Ratings: Leroy Sane
Following Lennart Karl’s withdrawal from the World Cup squad due to injury, Nagelsmann opted for Leroy Sane on the right wing in the final friendly – one of two changes from the Finland match. Sane was engaged from the start but his play was often too imprecise. Several crosses found no targets, and he squandered a promising chance in the 34th minute. In the 54th minute, he blasted a free-kick from a good position high over the bar. However, he then scored the decisive 2-1 goal with a direct shot. Rating: 3.
USA vs. Germany Player Ratings: Jamal Musiala
Musiala was very subdued and lacked impact in the first half. A prime example was in the 29th minute when he ran forward relatively unopposed, only to falter without inspiration. After the break, Musiala came alive. He began playing several good passes, notably in the build-up to Sane’s 2-1 goal and before Leweling’s clear chance in the 73rd minute. Rating: 3.5.
USA vs. Germany Player Ratings: Florian Wirtz
Wirtz regularly moved in from the left wing to central areas, providing some creative impetus with his technical skill. However, his influence was limited. He shot well wide in the 30th minute. Rating: 3.5.
USA vs. Germany Player Ratings: Kai Havertz
Havertz had missed the match against Finland due to his Champions League final participation. Against the USA, he returned to the starting lineup, replacing his (strong) stand-in Deniz Undav, and scored with a header within two minutes to give Germany the lead. Shortly after, he scored again, but the goal was correctly disallowed as the ball had gone out of play. Havertz also played a key role in setting up Sane’s 2-1 goal. He was mobile throughout, often dropping into midfield and drifting to the wings. He was the only truly standout German player. Rating: 1.5.
USA vs. Germany Player Ratings: Substitutes
Deniz Undav: Nagelsmann made a triple substitution in the 61st minute, with Undav replacing Havertz. He headed wide in the 78th minute. Rating: 3.5.
David Raum: Replaced Brown at left-back and received a yellow card shortly after his introduction for a harsh challenge. Rating: 4.
Waldemar Anton: Came on for Kimmich and slotted in at right-back. Rating: 3.5.
Jamie Leweling: Substituted for Sane in the 72nd minute. Shortly after, he appeared dangerously in the penalty area but passed into the middle instead of shooting. No rating.
Nadiem Amiri: Came on in the 80th minute as part of a quadruple substitution, replacing Musiala, and shot just wide shortly after. No rating.
Maximilian Beier: Replaced Wirtz. No rating.
Angelo Stiller: Came on for Pavlovic. No rating.
Leon Goretzka: Introduced as the fourth player in the quadruple substitution, replacing Nmecha. No rating.