DFB youngsters defeat USA at World Cup
U17 makes it to the quarter-finals in “City of Flowers”.
November 21, 2023, 12:14 p.m
The German U17 national team beat the USA at the World Cup in Indonesia and reached the quarter-finals. Without the injured Assan Ouedraogo, the German youth team struggled to make it to the next round with a 3-2 win in the round of 16 over the Americans in Bandung.
The German U17 national team is in the quarter-finals of the World Cup after a late joker goal from Bilal Yalcinkaya. Coach Christian Wück’s selection won a thrilling round of 16 against the USA 3-2 (2-1) in Bandung, Indonesia, and will now face Spain on Friday.
In the hard-fought victory against the US boys, Charles Herrmann (14th minute) and Max Moerstedt (34th) initially scored the goals for the European champions. At the Jalak Harupat Stadium, Taha Habroune (24th) and David Vazquez (80th) each equalized. As the penalty shootout approached, HSV player Yalcinkaya became the match winner immediately after coming on (87′).
The dream of the first World Cup title is alive
The DFB team got off to a perfect start in the “City of Flowers”. Dortmund’s Herrmann fantastically converted a free kick from around 20 meters to take the lead. A bad pass from Bayern keeper Max Schmitt, who was a sure support in the final phase, initiated the equalizer against the defense that had not yet sorted itself out. After preparatory work by Herrmann, Hoffenheim’s top scorer Moerstedt was there on the other side to make it 2-1.
Once again, the American team led by 15-year-old shooting star Nimfasha Berchimas struck back. With a free kick from the right wing, David Vazquez outwitted the entire German team, whose FC Barcelona captain Noah Darvich had to leave the field early due to an injury. Hamburg’s Yalcinkaya came on for Moerstedt and was successful seconds later with an individual effort from a tight angle. Then there was trembling and fighting until the final whistle.
Germany qualified for the World Cup in Southeast Asia in the summer with a victory on penalties in the European Championship final in Hungary against France. It was the fourth European Championship title for a German U17 after 1984, 1992 and 2009. At the World Cup, the German youth are still without a title. In 1985, a DFB team reached the final and lost to Nigeria, and in 2007 and 2011, Germany came third.