#germany-national-team

#germany-national-team

Germany's last two FIFA World Cup outings have been disastrous. The four time World Champions first failed to make it out of the group stage in 2018 under Joachim Löw after losing final game against Soouth Korea 2-0. A similar fate awaited Hansi Flick in the 2022 World Cup when Germany's 2-1 loss to Japan and 1-1 draw to Spain was only enough to secure a one way ticket back home. After two monumental disappointments, Julian Nagelsman will be hoping for brighter fortunes, but the odds may already be stacked against 38-year-old manager.

To close out its World Cup preparation schedule, the USMNT will take on four-time World Cup champion Germany in the Coca-Cola Send-Off Match on June 6 at Soldier Field in Chicago.

Their profligacy is not a new concern; it was evident during last summer's Euros, particularly in the quarterfinal against France and the semifinal against Spain. But this time it hurt them more than it should have. In many ways, it was a near-perfect performance. Germany created wave after wave of opportunities, pushed Spain deep into their own half, and left goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger with little to do. Yet the one thing they needed, and arguably deserved, never came: a goal.

Such was their dominance that their 4-0 lead at the break could have been even bigger, and the final score of 6-0 was in no way flattering. Nick Woltemade's fourth goal in three games was followed by a goal made in Munich but scored by Serge Gnabry for Germany. The returning Leroy Sane continued his fine form and added two of his own, with the second the perfect example of Germany's intensity.

France saw off Ukraine via a 4-0 win to clinch qualification to the World Cup next year.