Leon Goretzka wins Confederations Cup with Germany

Just one day after the under-21s won the European Championship, the Germany first team claimed a title of their own. On Sunday evening, Germany won the Confederations Cup title for the first time. Joachim Löw’s side beat Chile 1-0 in the final, with Lars Stindl scoring the winning goal in the 20th minute. Leon Goretzka was replaced in extra time.

Confed Cup, Confed Cup

11.10.17, 10:15

Chile started the first half on the front foot, just they did in the 1-1 draw between the two teams during the group phase of the tournament. Chile had the first big goal-scoring opportunity of the match, but Marc-Andre ter Stegen reacted quickly to keep out Bayern München’s Arturo Vidal from close range. Chile had five shots on target in the first twelve minutes of the match, but Germany kept tight at the back and managed to put themselves in the lead just minutes later.

Whilst Alexis Sanchez missed a big chance for Chile at one end, Lars Stindl turned the game on its head at the other head when after a swift counter attacking move, he converted Germany’s first goal scoring opportunity of the match. Timo Werner squared the ball into the box and all faced with an open goal, all Stindl had to do with get it on target. Timo Werner won the ball to start the counter-attacking move after a defensive error from ex-Hamburger SV player Marcelo Diaz.

Goretzka almost got his name on the scoresheet in the 36th minute, but his shot flew just wide of the left post. The Schalke player didn’t seem to have luck on his side in the first half, as he came off second best in a 1-v-1 situation with the Chile goalkeeper Claudio Bravo just seconds before the half-time whistle.

There were less goal scoring opportunities to be had in the second half. Some of the Chile players began to get a little frustrated and Gonzalo Jara was lucky to only see yellow after elbowing Timo Werner in the 65th minute.

Chile continued to increase the pressure as they looked for the equaliser, but only managed to cause significant problems for the Germany defence on two occasions. Yet again, ter Stegen reacted well to keep out Arturo Vidal from close range. Luck was on Germany’s side when substitute Angelo Sagal shot over the bar just 6 yards out. The referee blew for the final whistle and Germany won their first ever Confederations Cup title. Goretzka finished level with Stindl and Werner on three goals during the tournament.

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