World Cup 2026 Warm-Up • Match Review

Chicago Climax: Sané Rescues Victory as DFB Prep Ends in Stoppage Time Drama

Kai Havertz’s early blitz, Antonee Robinson’s stunning equalizer, and Leroy Sané’s decisive strike secure a 2-1 win over the USA at a record-breaking, sold-out Soldier Field in Chicago.

⚡ Match Details (Full Time)

Fixture

USA 1 – 2 Germany

Pre-World Cup Warm-Up

Date & Venue

Saturday, June 6, 2026

Soldier Field, Chicago, IL

Attendance & Ref

63,636 (Sold Out)

Ref: Piero Maza (CHI)

Key Statistics

USMNT Record Crowds

9-Match Win Streak

For Julian Nagelsmann and the German national football team, the final rehearsal ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup was a high-stakes, emotional roller coaster. Just hours before kick-off, the camp was rocked by the devastating news that 18-year-old Bayern Munich wonderkid Lennart Karl had suffered a severe muscle bundle tear (Muskelbündelriss) in his left thigh during training at Soldier Field, ruling him out of the entire World Cup. Yet, as the squad prepared to cross the Atlantic, this bitter blow set the stage for a dramatic story of tactical redemption.

Stepping into the starting lineup to replace Karl on the right wing was Leroy Sané. The Galatasaray winger, who had found himself on the fringes of the starting XI, was suddenly thrust back into the spotlight. In front of an electric, record-breaking crowd of 63,636 at Soldier Field, Sané did not just play; he seized the moment, scoring the decisive 57th-minute winner. Despite a highly physical, combative American side that equalized through a stunning Antonee Robinson volley, Germany secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory. For the United States, the loss marked their ninth consecutive defeat against European opponents dating back to 2022. Extending their historic pre-tournament winning run to nine matches, Die Mannschaft head into the main event with a mixture of tactical confidence, defensive resilience, and a fire ignited by late-game drama.

🚨 Lennart Karl World Cup Ruled Out & Replacement

Due to a severe thigh muscle tear sustained in Chicago, 18-year-old Lennart Karl is officially ruled out of the World Cup. Julian Nagelsmann has called up RB Leipzig’s 20-year-old midfielder Assan Ouédraogo (1 cap, 1 goal) as a replacement in the official 26-man roster. Additionally, captain Manuel Neuer sat out the match as a precaution due to minor calf stiffness (Verhärtung), leaving Oliver Baumann in goal.

Match Highlights

2’ Kai Havertz (0-1) ⚽

The Blitz Opener: Just 101 seconds into the game, Joshua Kimmich delivers a pinpoint cross from a free-kick on the right wing. Kai Havertz escapes his marker to head home a powerful, near-post effort.

Assist: Joshua Kimmich

18’ Balogun Danger Alert

🧤 Save: Tillman threads a vertical ball to Balogun, who spins past Schlotterbeck and fires a low shot. Oliver Baumann gets down rapidly to smother the attempt.

37’ Antonee Robinson (1-1) ⚽

The Volley Masterpiece: Christian Pulisic whips a corner into the box. Following a partial clearance, the ball floats to the edge of the area where Antonee Robinson hits an unstoppable first-time volley under the crossbar.

Assist: Christian Pulisic

45’ Baumann Denies Pulisic

🧤 Save: Just before halftime, Pulisic cuts inside from the left wing and curls a dangerous effort toward the far top corner. Baumann pulls off a flying, fingertip save.

57’ Leroy Sané (1-2) ⚽

The Redemption Strike: A beautiful combinations sequence: Pavlović passes central, Musiala flicks it first-time into the box, and Havertz squares it laterally for Leroy Sané to fire a low, slightly deflected left-footed shot into the corner.

Assist: Kai Havertz

62’ Pre-Planned Mass Rotation

🔄 Substitutions: Nagelsmann pulls out Kimmich, Brown, and Havertz to bring on Anton, Raum, and Undav. Simultaneously, US coach Pochettino replaces Ream, Robinson, McKennie, and Pulisic.

74’ – 80’ Midfield Rotation & Beier Yellow

🔄 Substitutions: Jamie Leweling replaces match-winner Sané (74′). Nagelsmann then introduces Stiller, Amiri, Goretzka, and Beier (80′). Beier receives a card in the 90th minute.

90+2’ Touchline Alternation & Bookings 🟨

🔥 Stoppage Time Drama: US winger Timothy Weah executes a hard late challenge on David Raum, then mockingly gestures. Nico Schlotterbeck and Jonathan Tah rush in to defend Raum, sparking a massive bench-clearing scuffle. Referee Maza hands yellows to Weah and Schlotterbeck.

🎥 Match Highlights Video

You can also view the highlights directly on YouTube.

Tactical Analysis: Symmetrical 3-1-6 Matchup

🇩🇪 Germany Tactics

Build-up (4-2-3-1): Germany initiated play from the back in a standard 4-2-3-1 formation. In response, the United States executed aggressive, high-pressing individual man-marking chases. Germany successfully bypassed the press by utilizing neat third-man combinations to progress up the pitch.

Attack (3-1-6): Once in the opposition half, Germany shifted into a highly offensive 3-1-6 shape. Joshua Kimmich dropped deep from right-back to make a back three, while Nathaniel Brown pushed high and wide on the left wing. Florian Wirtz tucked inside to overload the central lanes. The US defended this shape in a compact zonal 4-4-2 medium/low block.

Germany in 3-1-6 Shape

Brown

Wirtz

Musiala

Havertz

Sané
Pavlović / Nmecha (1)
▲
Schlotterbeck

Tah

Kimmich

🇺🇸 United States Tactics

Build-up (4-2-3-1): The United States structured their build-up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Germany pushed high up the pitch, applying heavy pressure through intense individual **man-marking chases** to disrupt their play from deep.

Attack (3-1-6): In possession, the US attacked in a symmetrical 3-1-6 structure: **Alex Freeman** dropped deep to secure defensive cover, **Antonee Robinson** pushed high and wide on the left to offer width, and **Christian Pulisic** drifted inside to overload central areas. Germany dropped into a compact, **zonal 4-4-2** medium/low block.

United States in 3-1-6 Shape

Robinson

Pulisic

Tillman

Balogun

Dest
Adams / McKennie (1)
▲
Ream

M. Robinson

Freeman

Player Ratings & Technical Breakdown

An in-depth look at how the starting players performed under Julian Nagelsmann’s tactical directives during tonight’s comfortable warm-up win:

🛡️ Starting XI

Oliver Baumann (TSG Hoffenheim) Precaution Starter

Started in goal with Manuel Neuer sidelined due to calf stiffness. Made two vital saves in the first half to deny Balogun and Pulisic, commanding his area well. Completely blameless for Robinson’s spectacular volley.

Rating
7.5

Joshua Kimmich (FC Bayern München) Captain

Captained the side in Neuer’s absence. Assisted Havertz’s early header with a pinpoint free-kick. Inverted into midfield to help build-up, though he had a few turnovers in the first half under the USA’s aggressive press.

Rating
6.5

Jonathan Tah (Bayer 04 Leverkusen)

Robust and physical, dealing well with Balogun in the air. His headed clearance under pressure fell to Robinson for the US goal, but he was otherwise defensively sound and composed.

Rating
6.5

Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund)

Stable defensively but occasionally struggled with Balogun’s pace. Received a yellow card in stoppage time for his involvement in the touchline scuffle defending Raum.

Rating
6.0

Nathaniel Brown (Eintracht Frankfurt)

Pushed high as an asymmetric wingback. Offered good width on the left and combined well with Wirtz, though defensively tested by Alex Freeman and Dest.

Rating
6.5

Aleksandar Pavlović (FC Bayern München)

Regulated play from deep with composure and high press-resistance. Sourced the vertical line-breaking pass to initiate Sane’s winning goal sequence.

Rating
7.5

Felix Nmecha (Borussia Dortmund)

Brought physical energy to combat Adams and McKennie. Covered ground well but was slightly sloppy with some of his passes in transition.

Rating
6.0

Leroy Sané (Galatasaray) Resurgent Winner

“Plötzlich wieder mittendrin” due to Lennart Karl’s tragic injury, Sané was let off the leash by Nagelsmann. Provided great width, tracked back, and sealed the 2-1 win with a low, first-time left-footed finish.

Rating
8.0

Jamal Musiala (FC Bayern München)

“Sehr blass” in the first half under Adams’ marking. However, Musiala “woke up” after the break, showing his elite dribbling and executing a crucial direct flick that set up the winner.

Rating
6.5

Florian Wirtz (Bayer 04 Leverkusen)

Drew the early free-kick that led to the opening goal. Underwhelming compared to his usual high standards, struggling to find space in a congested center against a low block.

Rating
6.0

Kai Havertz (FC Arsenal) MAN OF THE MATCH

Played as the leading striker, delivering a superb, complete performance. Opened the scoring with a brilliant near-post header and assisted Sané’s winner. Showed exceptional hold-up play and work rate.

Rating
8.5

🔄 Substitutes

Waldemar Anton (Borussia Dortmund)

Replaced Kimmich in the 62nd minute. Locked down the right-hand side and offered great defensive security to protect the German lead.

Rating
6.0

David Raum (RB Leipzig)

Replaced Brown. Put in a high-energy performance, pushing forward well. Targeted by Weah’s late challenge that provoked the late-match scuffle.

Rating
6.5

Deniz Undav (VfB Stuttgart)

Replaced Havertz. Pressed diligently from the front and linked up play nicely, though got no clear sight of goal during his minutes.

Rating
6.0

Jamie Leweling (VfB Stuttgart)

Replaced Sané in the 74th minute. Active on the right wing, tracking back and helping to keep the US defense pinned back.

Rating
6.0

Leon Goretzka (FC Bayern München)

Replaced Nmecha. Brought physical presence and veteran composure to secure midfield transitions in the final minutes.

Rating
6.0

Angelo Stiller (VfB Stuttgart)

Replaced Pavlović. Calm and tidy in possession, helping retain the ball and see out the game with composure.

Rating
6.0

Nadiem Amiri (1. FSV Mainz 05)

Replaced Musiala. Worked hard in the closing stages, helping to press and maintain possession under high pressure.

Rating
6.0

Maximilian Beier (Borussia Dortmund)

Replaced Wirtz. Booked in the 90th minute for a late tackle and struggled to get involved in the attack during a chaotic finish.

Rating
5.5

Post-Match Agenda: The Road to Winston-Salem

Speaking to kicker and RTL in Chicago, Julian Nagelsmann was pleased with the physical test but focused on the road ahead:

“It was a very intense test, exactly what we needed to prepare for the tournament. The USA played with great physical intensity, and the scuffle at the end shows that both teams are already in tournament mode. We showed great character to win. Leroy [Sané] did outstandingly well. With Lennart’s injury, Leroy is suddenly back in the spotlight. I told him he just needs to let himself off the leash (sich einfach von der Leine lassen).”

Following the final whistle at Soldier Field, the squad has officially wrapped up their pre-tournament warm-up friendlies and will begin their official travel schedule:

Flight to Base Camp: The squad flies to Winston-Salem, North Carolina on June 7 to begin their pre-tournament base camp training.
World Cup Opener: Travel to Houston, Texas, for the opening Group E fixture against Curaçao on June 14, 2026.

📋 Match Line-Ups & Substitutions Summary

🇩🇪 Germany (4-2-3-1)
Nagelsmann

Starting XI:

12 Oliver Baumann (GK) — 6 Joshua Kimmich (C), 4 Jonathan Tah, 15 Nico Schlotterbeck, 18 Nathaniel Brown — 5 Aleksandar Pavlović, 23 Felix Nmecha — 25 Leroy Sané, 10 Jamal Musiala, 17 Florian Wirtz — 26 Kai Havertz.

Substitutions (Einwechslungen):

62′ 🔄 3 Waldemar Anton for 6 Joshua Kimmich
62′ 🔄 22 David Raum for 18 Nathaniel Brown
62′ 🔄 26 Deniz Undav for 26 Kai Havertz
74′ 🔄 9 Jamie Leweling for 25 Leroy Sané
80′ 🔄 8 Leon Goretzka for 23 Felix Nmecha
80′ 🔄 16 Angelo Stiller for 5 Aleksandar Pavlović
80′ 🔄 20 Nadiem Amiri for 10 Jamal Musiala
80′ 🔄 14 Maximilian Beier for 17 Florian Wirtz

Reserve Bench: 12 Alexander Nübel (GK), 1 Jonas Urbig (GK), 2 Antonio Rüdiger, 26 Malick Thiaw, 5 Pascal Groß, 11 Nick Woltemade, 21 Assan Ouédraogo.

🇺🇸 USA (4-4-2 / 3-4-3 fluid)
Pochettino

Starting XI:

Matt Freese (GK) — Alex Freeman, Miles Robinson, Tim Ream (C), Antonee Robinson — Sergiño Dest, Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, Malik Tillman — Christian Pulisic, Folarin Balogun.

Substitutions (Einwechslungen):

62′ 🔄 Mark McKenzie for Miles Robinson
62′ 🔄 Sebastian Berhalter for Weston McKennie
62′ 🔄 Giovanni Reyna for Christian Pulisic
62′ 🔄 Auston Trusty for Tim Ream
72′ 🔄 Joe Scally for Alex Freeman
72′ 🔄 Max Arfsten for Antonee Robinson