Germany pip Chile to win 2017 Confederations Cup

ruth

July 2, 2017 8:01 PM

Lars Stindl was gifted the only goal of the game after 20 minutes as Germany held out against the Copa America champions to add the Confederations Cup title to their roll of honours

Lars Stindl was gifted the only goal of the game after 20 minutes as Germany held out against the Copa America champions to add the Confederations Cup title to their roll of honours.

As was the case when the two sides met in the group stages, Chile got off to a quick start and Arturo Vidal was the first to threaten the opposition goal with a long-range drive which bounced wide of the target.

Marc-Andre ter Stegen was called into action for the first time shortly afterwards when Eduardo Vargas capitalised on a loose pass from Leon Goretzka before seeing his low drive kept out by the German shot-stopper.

Chile continued to prevent Germany from getting into any sort of rhythm while creating chances of their own, and Mauricio Isla squandered a clear opening after 19 minutes when the ball broke to him inside the area.

Juan Antonio Pizzi's side should have made their dominance pay when Ter Stegen spilt Vidal's effort at the feet of Sanchez, but the Arsenal man couldn't turn the rebound home from close range and the miss was punished when Germany took the lead against the run of play just seconds later.

It was a mistake which gifted Germany the opening goal as Timo Werner caught Marcelo Diaz in possession on the edge of the penalty area before unselfishly squaring the ball for Stindl to roll a simple tap-in into the empty net.

Chile quickly regained control of the game, though, and Charles Aranguiz had the chance to respond quickly but couldn't connect properly with a cross into the area.

Vidal then fired another long-range effort over the crossbar before Germany began to get more joy going forward in the final 10 minutes of the half, with Goretzka flashing one low strike narrowly wide of the far post having been picked out by Sebastian Rudy.

Julian Draxler then placed a measured finish just wide before Chile almost shot themselves in the foot with another mistake, this time Gonzalo Jara giving the ball away and needing Claudio Bravo to come to his rescue by thwarting Goretzka from close range.

Chile again started the second half brightly, but the first chance fell to Germany when Jara threw himself in the way of Draxler's effort to divert it wide.

More to follow.

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