Germany through to Round of 32 in U17 World Cup as group winners | OneFootball

As expected, Germany were in full control from the first whistle against U17 World Cup debutants El Salvador. In particular, their right side was the source for almost all of their attacking moves. Alexander Staff’s effort called Oliver Alegria Sigernes into action inside the first five minutes before Maik Afri Akumu’s goal was chalked off for offside.

In his first start of the competition, Bayer Leverkusen’s midfielder Jeremiah Mensah ended El Salvador’s resistance with a clinical finish in the 31st minute. Mensah and Wisdom Mike had chances to double Germany’s lead before Marcello Trippel’s first save of the day from Anthony Umanzor’s long-range effort.

El Salvador’s momentum was gone with Marvin Mejía’s mistake that led to Germany’s second goal. Staff, who had a stellar qualification campaign, finally opened his account for the tournament with a deflected shot.

It was three before the half-time break as Mike scored in back-to-back games. Eba Bekir İş provided the assist with an incisive pass for Bayern Munich’s up-and-coming winger. With Colombia 2-0 up against the already qualified North Korea, Germany climbed to the top of the group at the midpoint of the final matchday.

Marc-Patrick Meister introduced Christian Prenaj in place of Benjamin Ley for the second-half. The Eintracht Frankfurt player had a chance to score within a minute, but his free header went wide. A couple of minutes later, Mike came close to scoring the fourth after yet another scintillating delivery by the lively Akumu.

In the 51st minute, Akumu’s cross-cum-shot ended up in the net following a big deflection by Andrew Reyes. El Salvador’s left-back had to be substituted right away due to a serious injury. Five minutes later, it was five for Germany with one of the best well-worked goals of the day.

Niklas Scheller delivered a pinpoint low cross to Mensah as the midfielder, who made his Champions League debut in Leverkusen’s humbling defeat to PSG, completed his brace. El Salvador searched for their first-ever U17 World Cup goal in the last 30 minutes.

Half-time substitute Diego Mejía had a decent attempt from an acute angle before their appeal for a penalty-kick was rebuffed by FVS (Football video support). VAR’s replacement (alternative) in youth football also reviewed Lasse Eickel’s goal, but the substitute survived the check as Germany scored the sixth with twenty minutes still left to play.

With only five minutes left on the clock, Prenaj scored the seventh after another excellent delivery from the left wing. Germany topped their group and will now await their opponents for the Round of 32.