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Lars Stindl struck the
only goal as Germany beat Chile 1-0 to win the Confederations Cup in St
Petersburg.
Borussia Monchengladbach
forward Stindl tapped home against the run of play after a defensive blunder
midway through the first half as world champions Germany added another major
trophy to their collection.
Copa America winners Chile
wasted a glut of goalscoring chances in either half and with the help of a
superb stoppage-time save from goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Joachim Low's
side held on to win the tournament for the first time.
After the two sides drew
their group game 1-1 10 days ago Chile made the brighter start in the rematch
and were clearly the better side throughout most of the first period.
Alexis Sanchez flashed a
shot wide in the second minute, Arturo Vidal's effort from inside the penalty
area was parried by Ter Stegen and Eduardo Vargas fired over the crossbar from
25 yards.
Another effort from Vargas
was well held by Ter Stegen as Chile looked the more likely to break the
deadlock.
Ter Stegen then spilled
Vidal's shot from outside the area into the path of Sanchez, but the Arsenal
forward could not control the rebound and another chance went begging.
Moments later Germany
snatched a 20th-minute lead with their first meaningful effort on goal.
Chile defender Marcelo
Diaz gifted Timo Werner the ball on the edge of the box and the Germany striker
ran on and turned the ball across goal for Stindl to tap into an empty net.
The South Americans carved
open the German defence again four minutes later, but the final ball into the
box from Mauricio Isla flew beyond Charles Aranguiz with an equaliser
beckoning.
Germany finished the half
strongly, with Leon Goretzka lashing an angled shot wide following Sebastian
Rudy's brilliant through-ball before Julian Draxler steered a low effort inches
wide after being set up by Werner.
Early in the second
period, Gonzalo Jara's last-ditch block deflected Draxler's shot wide before
Serbian referee Milorad Mazic booked Bayern Munich team-mates Joshua Kimmich
and Vidal following a fracas as the game turned feisty.
Mazic called on the video
assistant referee just after the hour mark when Jara appeared to strike Werner
in the jaw with his elbow as he challenged for the ball. But the VAR review
courted more controversy when Mazic opted to show the fortunate Chile defender
a yellow card.
Chile began to threaten
again with 20 minutes left. Vargas's low shot on the turn inside the area was
gathered by Ter Stegen and Vidal thumped the ground in frustration after
lashing his effort off target.
Edson Puch set up fellow
Chile substitute Angelo Sagal for another gilt-edged chance in the 85th minute,
but the latter blazed over from eight yards.
Ter Stegen denied Chile
again in time added on, diving low to his left to keep out Sanchez's free-kick
from just outside the area to ensure victory for Low's experimental squad.
Credit: www.theindependent.co.uk
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