Sunday, April 14, 2024

Germany wins confederations cup

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Isaac Kaledzi
Isaac Kaledzihttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Kaledzi
Isaac Kaledzi is an experienced and award winning journalist from Ghana. He has worked for several media brands both in Ghana and on the International scene. Isaac Kaledzi is currently serving as an African Correspondent for DW.

World champions Germany secured a first Confederations Cup title after victory against Copa America winners Chile in Sunday’s final in St Petersburg.

Lars Stindl hit the first-half winner following a mistake by Marcelo Diaz.

Chile’s Arturo Vidal and Angelo Sagal both blazed over the bar in the closing stages.

Germany’s Timo Werner was elbowed by Gonzalo Jara, who escaped with a yellow card despite the use of the video assistant referee (VAR).

Earlier, Adrien Silva scored an extra-time penalty as Portugal recovered from a goal down to beat Mexico 2-1 in the third-place play-off in Moscow.

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Luis Neto bundled into his own net to hand Mexico the lead, but Pepe stabbed home a stoppage-time equaliser to force an extra 30 minutes at Spartak Stadium.

Germany’s future brighter than ever

Having seen their team win the European Under-21 Championship in Poland on Friday, Germany’s fans can celebrate another impressive tournament victory 12 months before they launch the defence of their world title.

Their success in Russia has been achieved without a number of players who helped beat Argentina in Rio three years ago to be crowned world champions.

Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, midfielders Mesut Ozil and Toni Kroos, and forward Thomas Muller have been rested before next summer’s World Cup.

That has allowed a new generation to come to the fore.

Midfielder Leon Goretzka, 22, has excelled while 21-year-old forward Werner has also shown he has a bright international future ahead of him.

It was Werner who seized on a moment of madness by Diaz to create the goal. The Chilean gave away possession on the edge of his own penalty area, allowing the RB Leipzig forward to square the ball for Stindl to tap home.

Germany should have doubled their lead before the break after another error. Jara’s lapse in concentration let in Goretzka but Claudio Bravo did well to spread his frame and block.

 

 

BBC Sports

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