Arsenal’s Kai Havertz bagged a goal and an assist in a friendly match against World Cup hosts the USA on Saturday, helping Germany complete a perfect warm-up to the final tournament.
Arsenal forward Kai Havertz linked up with Germany this week following last weekend’s Champions League final, and he got his first chance back in the starting lineup in a friendly match against the USA on Saturday.
It didn’t take long for the striker to have an impact, pouncing on a Joshua Kimmich free-kick to head home for 1-0 in the second minute of the match.
The USA responded later in the half with an excellent goal from Antonee Robinson for 1-1, but Havertz helped Germany back into the lead after the break with a lay-off for Leroy Sane, who fired home in the 57th minute for 2-1.
That was how the game finished, with the highlights available here. The win gave Germany their second pre-World Cup friendly victory and their ninth win in a row overall.
The team’s last dropped points came in a defeat to Slovakia in September, so they’ve built up a lot of momentum since then.
Beating the World Cup hosts will also provide some extra encouragement, though the USA have now lost three of their last four games, so they don’t look to be in a good position to impress in the main event.
On an individual level, Havertz will be pleased to have impressed again with Germany. The Arsenal 26-year-old had a long injury absence from the team between November 2024 and March 2026, but he’s returned with three goal contributions in his last three games.
Germany will face Curacao, the Ivory Coast, and Ecuador in Group E of the World Cup, so Havertz faces an encounter up against Arsenal teammate Piero Hincapie.
But that will be the third of their three group matches, with Curacao up first on June 14th, then the Ivory Coast on June 20th, before Ecuador on June 25th.
- Arsenal loanee provides assist amid permanent transfer reportsArsenal loanee Charles Sagoe Jr. provided another goal contribution with Kalmar FF over the weekend, amid interest in a permanent transfer from AIK Fotboll.
- Only 3 clubs will earn more than Arsenal from FIFA’s World Cup payoutsOnly three clubs will earn more than Arsenal in FIFA’s World Cup payouts, according to analysis of the Club Benefits Programme.
- Official: Young talent signs for Arsenal from SpursElijah Upson has signed for Arsenal, joining the club after rejecting a new contract with Tottenham Hotspur.
- How Chelsea won Morgan Rogers race over ArsenalMorgan Rogers was Arsenal’s priority target for the 2026 summer transfer window, so why did he end up agreeing to join Chelsea instead?
- Arsenal target rejects contract extension with BournemouthAlex Scott has turned down a contract extension offer from Bournemouth, but the club remain committed to keeping him amid interest from Arsenal and others.