A 4-1 win over Mexico, inspired by a quick-fire start, saw FIFA World Cup™ holders Germany tee-up a FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017 final with Chile.
The Europeans began in ruthless style. To be more specific, Leon Goretzka did. Slotting beyond Guillermo Ochoa twice inside eight minutes, the Schalke midfielder eclipsed Argentina legend Gabriel Batistuta’s quickest-ever double at the tournament, scored 25 years ago.
Mexico could have fallen further behind, but found their footing as the half went on. They ended the first period much the brighter side but, after a more even restart to proceedings, Timo Werner’s tap-in ensured it was the world champions who were Saint Petersburg-bound.
Marco Fabian’s 40-yard thunderbolt gave the travelling fans something sensational to cheer about, but Amin Younes made sure the three-goal cushion remained with a speedy last-minute response to rubber-stamp Germany’s final ticket.
*FIFA.com team reporter analysis *“It was one of those games that could hardly have gone any better for Germany: After a lightning-quick start with those two Goretzka goals, they were content to sit back and let Mexico attack. Die Mannschaft *were a bit lucky that *El Tri failed to convert even one of a host of good opportunities, before making it 3-0 to end the contest when Mexico were arguably at their peak. It was a harsh result to take for the CONCACAF champions, who invested so much here. Now everyone can look forward to a rematch of the Chile tie – the only team able to get a result from Germany at this tournament so far.”
Steffen Potter, Germany team reporter
“Mexico paid the price for their risk-taking approach and deservedly lost against a German side who, in their usual efficient way, made the most of their chances. El Tri *had control of the ball for long periods of the game, generating many chances of their own, but in the end their defence was just too exposed for *Die Mannschaft’s *counter-attacks. This should be taken as a learning experience for Juan Carlos Osorio if they want to excel in Russia next year..”
Martin Langer, Mexico team reporter*
Budweiser Man of the Match *His brace defined the game, so no surprise *Leon Goretzka – who now leads the scoring charts alongside Werner – was voted as the game’s star performer.
The stat
4 Germany become the fourth European side to reach the final, following on from Denmark (1995), France (2001 and 2003) and Spain (2013), as well as being the fifth world champion to reach the tournament climax.
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