The 2–1 loss to South Africa in Rancagua could’ve left a bitter taste, but when all was said and done, things still turned out alright. The United States Men’s U-20 National Team finished on top of Group E at the World Cup, even after stumbling in their last match of the group stage. It might look like a setback on paper, yet the way the team played, and the fact that they advanced, shows a group with real potential to go deep in the tournament.
Noah Cobb scored first, saw the South Africans flip the score before halftime, and despite wave after wave of U.S. pressure in the second half, the result never changed. The difference sits in the numbers: the Americans kept the best goal differential in the group and now move on to face Italy in the round of 16.
A balanced match full of lessons
Coach Marko Mitrović made eight changes from the previous game against France, giving chances to players who hadn’t started yet. Even with all the rotation, the USMNT came out strong. Eleven minutes in, Luke Brennan was fouled near the top of the box, and Matthew Corcoran curled in a perfect cross that found Noah Cobb’s head for the opener. It was the team’s tenth goal of the tournament, pushing their scoring record for a single edition even higher.
South Africa didn’t take long to answer. In the 17th minute, Neo Rapoo sprinted down the left, swung in a cross, and the ball deflected off Josh Wynder before slipping into the net. That goal leveled the match and gave it a different rhythm. The Americans almost struck back right away. Luca Bombino whipped in a cross from the left, Benjamin Cremaschi got on the end of it, but keeper Fletcher Smythe-Lowe tipped the header over the bar. Soon after, Corcoran’s free kick from distance skimmed past the post.
Then came the blow just before halftime. South Africa hit on the counter, and Shakeel April found Gomolemo Kekana completely open inside the box. The midfielder finished first time and turned the game around. South Africa went into the break ahead, leaving the Americans to chase the match after the restart.
A reaction without reward
The USMNT came out pushing. They held the ball, pressed higher, and created more chances. In the 49th minute, Cremaschi forced a solid save from the goalkeeper, and shortly after, Cobb went close again with a header off a corner. Even with all that pressure, the equalizer just wouldn’t come. Smythe-Lowe denied another attempt from Cremaschi in the 72nd minute and came up huge again in the 87th, stopping Marcos Zambrano’s header after a cross from Cole Campbell.
South Africa almost made it three when Kekana hit a long-range shot that Beaudry had to dive to keep out in the 81st. The score stayed 2–1 until the final whistle, sealing South Africa’s win but also confirming the United States at the top of the group standings.