The United States U20 men’s national team kicked off its 2025 FIFA World Cup journey in Chile with an astonishing 9-1 win against New Caledonia. This victory marks the largest margin ever achieved by the team in the tournament’s history.
Historic Win and Record-Breaking Performance
Leading the charge was Benjamin Cremaschi, a Parma midfielder loaned from Inter Miami CF. He displayed remarkable skill, netting three goals in the first half and providing two assists. His performance established him as only the third player in U.S. Men’s National Team history to score a hat trick in the U20 World Cup.
Scoring Breakdown
The U.S. displayed an unstoppable offense, with contributions from six additional players:
- Niko Taskiris
- Frankie Westfield
- Nolan Norris
- Taha Habroune
- Cole Campbell
Each player added to the scoreline, complementing Cremaschi’s historic contribution.
New Caledonia’s Remarkable Moment
Even in a challenging match, New Caledonia experienced a noteworthy moment. Wapae Simane scored the team’s first-ever goal in a U20 World Cup tournament during the second half, taking advantage of a mistake from U.S. goalkeeper Adam Beaudry.
Setting New Records
This commanding 9-1 win not only highlights the U.S. team’s potential but also sets a new record for the most goals scored by the U.S. in a FIFA U20 World Cup match. The previous record featured wins with a six-goal margin: a 6-0 victory against Turkey in 1993, a 6-1 win over Poland in 2007, and another 6-0 triumph against New Zealand in 2017.
Although the U.S. celebrated a record-breaking victory, the largest win in FIFA U20 World Cup history remains Norway’s 12-0 defeat of Honduras in 2019, featuring nine goals from future star Erling Haaland.
Group E Update
In a closely contested Group E matchup, France emerged victorious with a 2-1 win over South Africa. As the tournament progresses, the U.S. will look to build on their impressive start.
