Confederations Cup Semi-finals Germany 4-1 Mexico
Germany will face Chile in Confederations Cup Final
Germany took on Mexico in the second semi-final of the Confederations Cup in Russia on Thursday. The World Champions succeeded in booking a place in the final against Chile, who overcame Portugal on penalties in the first semi-final on Wednesday. Mexico went into the clash without their captain Andres Guardado who was suspended, however star striker Javier Hernandez led the line in Sochi. Even without Germany stars Manuel Neuer and Mesut Ozil the Germans were far too strong for Mexico, with Leon Goretzka scoring a quickfire early double and Timo Werner slotting a third in the second half. Fabian gave Mexico some hope when he slammed into the top corner of the net from 30 yards, but Germany’s Amin Younes finished off coolly after a breakaway to give emphasis to the champion’s victory.
Match Report
Germany 4-1 Mexico
Germany were too good for Mexico as they scored 4 goals to Mexico’s single goal. Germany will take on Chile in the final of the Confederations Cup on Sunday in St. Petersburg. The Germans were truly impressive and gave Mexico no chance to find their game tempo in the first half. Germany maintained full control throughout the second half as well determined to keep their 3-0 lead. Leon Goretzka, Timo Werner and Amin Younes scored four for Germany and Fabian bagged a superb free-kick for Mexico. Germany easily cruised into the final of the Confederations Cup after seeing off Mexico with a second-string team in the semi-final in a humid Sochi. Leon Goretzka made the task almost impossible for CONCACAF champions Mexico with two goals in the sixth and eighth minutes. Timo Werner finished off a flowing German move with a tap in just before the hour to make it three as Germany sailed through. Marco Fabian earned Mexico a consolation with one of the goals of the tournament - a 30-yard howitzer into the top corner. However, there was no hope of a comeback, as Amin Younes polished off a counter attack to set up a German date with Chile.
Squads
Germany
Manager Joachim Low
Goals: Goretzka 6, 8, Werner 59, Younes 90
ter Stegen; Kimmich, Ginter, Rudiger; Henrichs, Goretzka (Can 67), Rudy, Hector; Stindl (Brandt 78), Draxler (Younes 81); Werner Unused subs: Trapp, Mustafi, Plattenhardt, Wagner, Demirbay, Leno, Sule.
Mexico
Manager Juan Carlos Osorio
Goal: Fabian 89
Booking: Jimenez 55
Ochoa; Layun, Araujo, Moreno, Alanis; J. dos Santos (Marquez 67), Herrera, G. dos Santos (Fabian 61); Jimenez, Hernandez, Aquino (Lozano 46) Unused subs: Cota, D. Reyes, Vela, Talavera, Damm, Peralta, L. Reyes.
An early Leon Goretzka double set the Germany world champions on their way to the Confederations Cup final despite a late Fabian goal. Goretzka took advantage of a missed interception by Hector Moreno to open the scoring and put the world champions ahead. Goretzka then finished from a tight angle only two minutes later to put Germany well in charge of the semi-final in Sochi at 2-0. Germany’s Timo Werner sealed the game with a tap-in making it 3-0. Second half Mexican substitute Fabian slammed in a brilliant 30-yard penalty strike for late consolation and the score was 3-1. Germany’s Amin Younes then coolly finished ending any hopes of an unlikely comeback by Mexico. The Germans will now play South American champions Chile in Sunday's final. Germany brought only a reserve side to Russia for the Confederations Cup demonstrating their strength in depth. Manager Joachim Low's German side go through to face Chile in Sunday's final, and although Mexico fought hard, they ended up going on to a third place play-off against Portugal. The game was played in a half empty stadium in extremely humid conditions in Sochi. It was obvious from the start of the clash that the Germans were better equipped to deal with weather. Although both sides came through the group stage unbeaten, only Germany had the momentum they needed to go past Mexico.
Mexico captain Hector Moreno had an abysmal start to the game as his missed interception led directly to the first German goal. Moreno was too slow to react to the determined run of Goretzka. The slips in focus were disastrous for Mexico. They had come from behind in all their other group games so far though, and had late hope for a come-back as they improved later on in the half. Former Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez lifter a chip over the top of Marc Andre ter Stegen, that unfortunately went over his bar. Germany went ahead after just six minutes when Goretzka finished with a delicate passed goal from 20 yards out. Goretzka was able to put Germany in front after the Mexico defence failed to cut out the attacking move due to a sluggish start. Two minutes later Mexico goalie Guillermo Ochoa was beaten again with Goretzka able to slot in from an angle. Germany’s mostly reserve squad continued to dominate throughout the semi-final game. After the break Werner made it 3-0 when he sent home a pull back by Jonas Hector. There was a question of offside against Werner who was standing behind the defense when the play began but the goal was given to the impressive Julian Draxler who played a through ball to Jonas Hector, timing a perfect run from left wing back, he played the pull back to Werner for a tap-in.
The goal of the night award went to Mexico’s second-half sub Fabian for his long range class-act strike that left ter Stegen absolutely no chance to stop the ball. Mexico made more than 20 shots on goal all stopped by German keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen except the last one by Fabian that no goalie in the world could have stopped. However just as Mexico fans began to hope for a comeback, Ajax youngster Younes finished with a low strike past Ochoa to end the game with a 4-1 win delivered by Germany’s skeleton, reserve team. Ajax youngster Younes, introduced with ten minutes to play, polished off a counterattack, slotting past the despairing Ochoa in stoppage time. Portugal were knocked out of the Confederations Cup on Wednesday with a 3-0 defeat on penalties against Chile, having been held to a 0-0 draw after extra time.
In the first semi-final between Portugal and Chile, Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo did not take a spot kick as Portugal crashed out of the Confederations Cup to Chile as Claudio Bravo saved three penalties in the shoot-out for Chile against Portugal. Chile ran out 3-0 winners but Ronaldo did not even take a penalty although he traditionally takes the fifth penalty but may have made the crucial difference had he moved up the order. The Euro 2016 holders had three penalties saved by Manchester City goalkeeper Claudio Bravo but they had already exited the tournament before Portugal and Real Madrid star striker and talisman Ronaldo had even taken his spot-kick. At club level Ronaldo has mainly taken the fifth penalty in a shoot-out, which is often the decisive kick. When Real Madrid recently won the 2016 Champions League final against fierce city rivals Atletico Madrid on penalties, it was Ronaldo who sealed victory by converting the fifth spot-kick. Ronaldo no doubt planned to seal a semi-final victory against Chile in a similar fashion only for Bravo to deny Ricardo Quaresma, Joao Moutinho and Nani. This time around, his decision to take the fifth penalty was costly for Portugal who could have changed their order during the shoot-out. The referee is never informed of the order that teams select before the shoot-out so Ronaldo could have moved higher up as things unfolded against his side.
After the match, Portugal manager Fernando Santos defended his talisman Ronaldo and the players who missed their penalty shots. “The goalkeeper was fantastic but the three players who failed their penalties were heroes in the European Championship against Poland,” Santos said. “I always defend my players. It's my decision who takes them. That was the order we chose. These three players scored their goals in the Euros.” Ronaldo, in a statement on his Facebook confirming he has become a new father to twins, said of the match, “Unfortunately, we couldn't reach our main sporting objective, but I am certain we will continue to make the Portuguese people happy.” Buy Real Madrid football tickets from 1st4FootballTickets.com to watch Cristiano Ronaldo play live in the Spanish La Liga, Spanish Super Cup, Copa del Rey, and Champions League! Next, Germany face Chile in the Confederations Cup Final on Sunday, July 1. There will also be an additional match between Portugal and Mexico to decide third place. Buy great guaranteed, cheap World Cup 2018 Russia tickets and other football tickets securely online from 1st4FootballTickets.com!
