Leon strikes twice as Germany roar into final
CONFEDERATIONS CUP Joachim Loew’s young guns went on a rampage in the opening ten minutes to crush Mexico 41 in semifinals
Germany booked their place in the Confederations Cup final as Leon Goretzka scored twice in a devastating opening spell to Thursday’s 4-1 semi-final win over Mexico.
Attacking midfielder Goretzka ran riot in Sochi with goals on six and eight minutes before Timo Werner and substitute Amin Younes netted in the second half.
Marco Fabian scored Mexico’s stunning consolation in the 89th minute with a thunderbolt free-kick from long range.
World champions Germany will face Chile in Sunday’s final in St Petersburg while Mexico play Portugal in Moscow’s thirdplace play-off.
“We now need to reward ourselves for our hard work and we want to get the title,” said Goretzka.
The Germans drew 1-1 with Copa America champions Chile when the teams met last Thursday in Kazan.
Goretzka and Werner are now the tournament’s joint top-scorers with three goals a-piece in Russia.
Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio said the result was not a fair reflection.
His side had twice as many shots as the Germans, but could not take their chances.
“Our way of playing is very aggressive. We try to get forward all the time and we paid for that,” Osorio said.
“They are fair winners, but the scoreline would seem to suggest they were way better and I don’t think that was the case.”
Germany head coach Joachim Loew pulled a surprise before kick-off by naming 20-year-old Benjamin Henrichs on the right wing for only his third international and first start in Russia.
The bold move paid off as Henrichs pounced on an early mistake and his pass found Goretzka sprinting towards the box.
The Schalke forward took the ball in his stride and stroked his shot past Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa on six minutes.
Goretzka struck again soon after when Werner’s pass split the Mexican defence open and he drove home.