Confederations Cup 2017 | Germany lifts maiden title while Portugal finishes third

SportsCafe Desk

BySportsCafe Desk, SportsCafe Editor

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Germany defeated Chile 1-0 in the final of the Confederations Cup at St. Petersburg on Sunday to clinch their maiden title thanks to a 20th-minute goal gifted by Chile. On the other hand, Portugal came from behind to beat Mexico 2-1 in stoppage time to finish third in the competition.

Chile started the game on the offensive as they enjoyed the majority of the ball possession initially and pressurised the German defence hard in the centre field. Marc-Andre ter Stegen, the German goalkeeper, was in the thick of things when Marcelo Diaz hit a low driving shot that was easily handled by the German goalkeeper.  

The Chilian attack once again tormented the young German defence in the 9th minute but were yet again denied by ter Stegen who stood his ground resolutely to keep his team in the game. Germany seemingly lacked the intent to attack and were relying on the counterattacks to yield a goal. However, Chile kept pressing on the German goal. But in the 20th minute, a sloppy Marcelo Diaz provided the European team with an easy chance as Lars Stindl tapped in the ball off a Timo Werner pass to help his side take the lead against the run of play. 

The South American team kept dominating the stats in terms of shots on target and ball possession as the high octane game continued to enthrall the audience. Chile had a chance in the 44th minute when Mauricio Isla fired in a beautiful cross that was headed over the goal by Alexis Sanchez. Arturo Vidal kept threatening the German defence with his beautiful plays but the Copa America champions lacked the clinical finishing touch that was needed to equalise.

Germany stood their ground in the defence while attacking the Chilean goal occasionally. Vidal and Angelo Sagal wasted two golden opportunities in stoppage time to finish as runners-up in the tournament as Germany lifted their maiden Confederations Cup title with a young side.

Earlier in the third-place mtach-off, Portugal started the game sans their talismanic striker Cristiano Ronaldo and had a brilliant chance to take the lead in the 15th minute when they were awarded a penalty. However, a brilliant Guillermo Ochoa, the Mexican goalkeeper, turned away Andre Silva's shot as Portugal missed their 4th consecutive penalty after their shootout against Chile in the semi-finals.

Mexico almost scored in the 31st minute when Javier Hernandez forced Rui Patricio to make a brilliant save to deny the Mexican a chance to take the lead. However, Mexico went a goal ahead in the 54th minute when Luis Neto, Portugal's defender, turned Hernandez's cross into his own net. Carlos Vela had a chance to double the lead and seal the match for his team but missed it which eventually resulted in being a death blow for the Mexican team.

Pepe equalised for Portugal in the dying seconds of the game with a brilliant header while Adrien Silva's 104th-minute penalty sealed the win for the team after Miguel Layun had handled the ball inside the box.  

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