The Germany U20s have been knocked out of the U20 World Cup at the quarter final stage in New Zealand. Frank Wormuth’s men lost 4-3 on penalties to Mali. The game had finished 1-1 after 120 minutes.
Things started badly for the DFB Team as Marc Stendara picked up an early injury and had to be replaced after just 10 minutes. Despite losing their playmaker, Germany took the lead shortly before the break when Julian Brandt volleyed home Hany Mukhtar’s deflected free kick (38’).
Mukhtar misses at key moment
Mukhtar had the chance to double the advantage after 56 minutes but the youngster failed to convert a penalty after Mali’s keeper Djigui Diarra impeded Jeremy Dudziak in the area. This galvanised Mali, who levelled instantly through defender Souleymane Coulibaly (58’).
There were no more goals, so the game went to penalties. Kevin Akpoguma, Levin Öztunali and Matti Steinmann converted but misses from Julian Brandt and Niklas Stark meant that Mali progressed to the semis.
“The key moment was the missed penalty. If we’d gone 2-0 up things would have been tough for Mali. I can’t blame Hany Mukhtar though. I’m pleased that he picked up the ball and displayed such bravery. Unfortunately, we conceded straight after,” explained Wormuth. “The team reacted well to Marc Stendera’s absence. Obviously it hurt us, but we still have a good squad. Julian Weigl’s injury didn’t help either. We wanted to play counterattacking football at the end but we also had to ensure that we didn’t concede. I hope that the injuries aren’t too bad.”
The Germany U20s have been knocked out of the U20 World Cup at the quarter final stage in New Zealand. Frank Wormuth’s men lost 4-3 on penalties to Mali. The game had finished 1-1 after 120 minutes.
Things started badly for the DFB Team as Marc Stendara picked up an early injury and had to be replaced after just 10 minutes. Despite losing their playmaker, Germany took the lead shortly before the break when Julian Brandt volleyed home Hany Mukhtar’s deflected free kick (38’).
Mukhtar misses at key moment
Mukhtar had the chance to double the advantage after 56 minutes but the youngster failed to convert a penalty after Mali’s keeper Djigui Diarra impeded Jeremy Dudziak in the area. This galvanised Mali, who levelled instantly through defender Souleymane Coulibaly (58’).
There were no more goals, so the game went to penalties. Kevin Akpoguma, Levin Öztunali and Matti Steinmann converted but misses from Julian Brandt and Niklas Stark meant that Mali progressed to the semis.
“The key moment was the missed penalty. If we’d gone 2-0 up things would have been tough for Mali. I can’t blame Hany Mukhtar though. I’m pleased that he picked up the ball and displayed such bravery. Unfortunately, we conceded straight after,” explained Wormuth. “The team reacted well to Marc Stendera’s absence. Obviously it hurt us, but we still have a good squad. Julian Weigl’s injury didn’t help either. We wanted to play counterattacking football at the end but we also had to ensure that we didn’t concede. I hope that the injuries aren’t too bad.”
