The Young German National Team Experiences Significant Setbacks at the World Cup
Oh boy, what a rollercoaster: The German U-20 women's football squad falls short in the World Cup semis, despite holding a comfortable 2:0 lead well into extra time. The heartbreak continued in the shootout with three German players missing their chances.
Echoes of despair, like the ones felt by FC Bayern Munich during their Champions League heartbreak in '99: The German U-20 team suffered a crushing defeat in the World Cup, this time in Colombia. Leading 2:0 until late into extra time in the quarter-final against the USA, with head coach Kathrin Peter at the helm, the team seemed set for a semifinal spot. But two quick, late goals by Jordynn Dudley (90+8) and Allyson Sentnor (90+9) in extra time changed the game, and a nail-biting penalty shootout saw the Germans fall 1:3. In Cali, the score line read 2:2 (2:2, 0:0) after extra time.
Tomke Schneider of Eintracht Frankfurt summed it up: "Right now, it's just emptiness. We'll have to go home first, and then I think it'll really sink in that our dream is over. But we're still a good team, and we should be proud of ourselves."
After Cora Zicai (61.) and Loreen Bender (90+2) scored to give Germany a strong lead, it seemed like the US team would be in for a tough match. But the two late goals in extra time leveled the score, sending the game into the dreaded penalty shootout. Jella Veit scored initially, but Paulina Platner missed, Vanessa Diehm hit the post, and Alara Sehitler was saved by the US keeper Teagan Wy.
Coach Peter summed it up: "It's just so bitter. In the end, the luckier team won out." The World Cup final will take place on 22 September in Bogota. The Germans had defeated Argentina 5:1 in the round of 16, while the US had fought their way into the quarter-finals with a 3:2 extra time win against Mexico.
Despite their impressive performance, the DFB women's U-20 team suffered a heartbreaking loss in the World Cup quarter-finals, succumbing to penalties after a thrilling extra-time battle against the USA. The Germans, led by coach Kathrin Peter, had a 2:0 lead, but late goals from Jordynn Dudley and Allyson Sentnor forced a nerve-wracking shootout, which the Americans ultimately won.
