U.S. Defeats Germany 2-1 in Soccer Friendly

The U.S. men’s soccer team defeated the current World Cup champions on Wednesday, with a 2-1 victory over Germany in a thrilling non-competitive match.

Although Germany scored first after just 12 minutes, Sports Illustrated reports, U.S. midfielder Mix Diskerud tied the game in the 41st minute. With three minutes left in the match, substitute Bobby Wood hammered home a late winner.

The come-from-behind victory against FIFA’s top-ranking national squad comes just five days after the U.S. defeated the Netherlands, another top 10 team.

The win represents long-awaited payback for Team USA, which lost to the Germans both in the group stages of the 2014 World Cup and in the 2002 tournament, when Michael Ballack’s goal in the quarterfinals sent the Americans packing. But the defeat will leave a bitter taste in the mouth for German soccer fans, especially as U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann is one of Germany’s most celebrated former players and its onetime manager.

The U.S. women’s team, meanwhile, is preparing for its second World Cup group stage game against Sweden on Friday, after beating Australia 3-1 on Monday. The U.S. is currently ranked second in the world in the women’s game, just behind… Germany.