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Germany ends as runner-up in the 2016 SheBelieves Cup

Germany had to surrender to the USWNT in the 'final' of the first edition of the SheBelieves Cup following their 2-1 loss at Boca Raton. With this win, the US repeated the same scenario of the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, when they had knocked out the Germans in the semi finals.

By liagianluca

Despite Anja Mittag had put Germany ahead on the half hour mark, Germany has once again lost to the USWNT to end their SheBelieves Cup's commitments in second place, with a complex of two wins and one draw.

The Germans opted for a more containing system, with the US ready to prompt and probe seeking the first goal to have the match under control. FIFA Women's Player of the Year Carli Lloyd was the first to take the initiative and she almost scored for the US just after two minutes but following a good run with the ball, her shot went inches wide. Silvia Neid's team tried to release the pressure from themselves, but the home side continued to press and creating goal-scoring opportunities. It was Christen Press's turn to be dangerous as with neat footwork she went past a German defender, her conclusion was easily parried by Schult. However, as time went by Germany were coming out from their shell and on the 25th minute, Kerschowski headed the ball on target, but well-parried from Solo. A couple of minutes later, Kemme produced a sensational move as she dribbled past a couple of US defenders, played a one-two with Popp and with a low drive shot she almost broke the deadlock but the ball hit the outside net. Nonetheless, the goal was just a matter of time and Germany forged ahead on the 29th minute. PSG striker Anja Mittag received the ball from nearly half the pitch, progressed with the ball for few centimeters before firing a low shot on Hope Solo's first post, which Solo herself could not reach. Their lead lasted exactly just six minutes, as Alex Morgan equalized for the home side with a great piece of geniality. A delightful ball from Klingenberg from the back, Morgan chipped the ball over Bartusiak and with a first-time volley, she past the ball between Schult's legs to level matters for the US. Just five minutes passed from that goal, and the US turned around the score to their favour thanks to Samantha Mewis's second goal for the national team. Mewis progressed with the ball and as she had the post on sight, she fired a shot which was heavily deflected to end the first half at 2-1.

The second half was not as entertaining as the first 45 minutes, as both teams started to introduce new faces on the pitch much frequently. Alexandra Popp had the first occasion of the second half when she blasted a shot from the edge of the box which Solo managed to turn into a corner. The home side enjoyed more possession but it was the Germans who were on target once again through Dzsenifer Maroszan, whose shot was saved by US's number 1. Silvia Neid introduced also Lena Goessling, hoping that she could shift the balance of the match in favour of the Germans, but the world champions stood still, making it difficult for the European squad to harm their back line.

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