Show 45 minutes in Marseille: DFB Women lose to USA

Big celebration: USA defeats Germany 4-1 in Marseille.
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For this outstanding performance of Olympic Group B, Germany's women's national coach Horst Hrubesch was forced to reorganize his team compared to a promising 3-0 opening win against Australia: Rauch was replaced on the left by Linder, who was slowed by an infection. .

Hrubesch's counterpart – Chelsea icon Emma Hayes, who has only been in charge since May 2024 – recorded a 3-0 win in the tournament opener in Paris. Against Zambia. The 47-year-old has no reason to change his winning team.

However, in the first few minutes at the legendary Velodrome, the DFB women dictated the action and sought salvation in attack with quick vertical play. Four minutes later, Hrubesch's team could have taken the lead – if not more – but after some excellent preparation work from Brandt, Schüller was denied by Naeher from close range.

Ten minutes later, the Americans woke up — and hit the ice immediately: Rodman got past Rauch with ease after a one-two, and Smith poked it up the middle to make it 1-0.

A symbolic minute 26

The DFB ladies needed some time to compose themselves before Quinn made it 1-1 with a great long-range shot into the bottom left corner (21'). It was now an obvious blow, and some of them seemed quite wild. Defensively, Hrubesch's team was disorganized, and the 26th minute was a sign of this: Hendrich misjudged, Smith shot straight, keeper Berger saved at Swanson's feet – 2-1.

Apart from Quinn's next powerful long-range shot, not much came from the DFB women at this point. So after another chain of defensive errors, Rauch deflected Smith's shot so Berger couldn't block it, Germany trailing 3-1 (44'). The fans didn't see a fifth goal before the break as Nusken headed in from the left after Quinn Cross (45th + 6th).

The brand fails in the post

After the break, the DFB team had more to do, but showed no sign of catching up in the first quarter of an hour from the restart. Abruptly at Brandt's post (58th), Swanson shot past the empty goal (59th) in response.

Germany could have narrowed the scoring in the best phase of the second period, but Nusken was denied by goalkeeper Nahar before Schueller failed to push the ball over the line just a second later (62').

To make matters worse, captain Bob, who injured his knee, had to leave the field after 77 minutes. German fans in Marseille waited in vain for a catch-up. The USA came close to their fourth goal, but Rodman was first denied by Berger (84'). Five minutes later, Williams, a recent substitute, finally made it 4-1 (89').

At the end of the group stage, Germany will face Zambia, who lost 5-6 to Australia two hours ago. Next Wednesday kicks off at 7pm, while Australia take on the USA.