Benjamin Cremaschi Hat Trick Inspires Historic U.S. Win At U-20 World Cup

Benjamin Cremaschi made an unforgettable mark on the U.S. U-20s’ opening game at the World Cup in Chile, leading his side to a record-breaking 9-1 victory over New Caledonia. The Parma midfielder struck twice within minutes to put the Americans firmly in control before sealing his hat trick, joining an elite list as only the third U.S. player to achieve such a feat at this tournament.

The match had a dream start when Niko Tsakiris opened the scoring in the seventh minute, setting the tone for what quickly became a rout. Cremaschi’s clinical finishing was the highlight, but he wasn’t alone—Nolan Norris bagged a brace, while Frankie Westfield, Taha Habroune, and Cole Campbell also found the net.

For head coach Marko Mitrović, the emphatic win was about more than just goals—it allowed his young squad to shake off debut nerves and settle into the tournament. “To start like this gives us confidence, but we know tougher games are coming,” he admitted.

The Americans’ next test will be against France, who opened their campaign with a win over South Africa. With both sides eyeing an early ticket to the knockout rounds, it promises to be a real barometer of the U.S. team’s credentials.

Cremaschi’s heroics also helped the United States rewrite history. The 9-1 result surpassed Germany’s 8-1 thrashing of Fiji in 2015, giving the Americans the largest margin of victory ever recorded at a U-20 World Cup.

It was a night of records, confidence, and promise—one that U.S. fans will hope sets the tone for a deep run in Chile.