Stindl scores as Germany kids are too hot for Chile
● Low’s second-string squad win final in Russia to add another trophy to collection
Lars Stindl struck the only goal as Germany beat Chile to win the Confederations Cup in Russia last night.
Borussia Monchengladbach forward Stindl tapped home against the run of play in St Petersburg after a defensive blunder midway through the first half.
It means world champions Germany added yet another major trophy to their glittering collection. And this was actually Germany’s second string – players such as Toni Kroos, Mesut Ozil, Thomas Muller, Manuel Neuer, Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng had all been left at home by manager Joachim Low.
Copa America winners Chile wasted a glut of goalscoring chances in either half and with the help of a superb stoppagetime save from goalkeeper Marc-andre ter Stegen, Low’s side held on to win the tournament for the first time.
After the two sides drew their group game 1-1 ten days earlier, 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 couldn’t 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 it 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 – the player of the tournament – 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 referee Milorad Mazic booked Bayern Munich teammates 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 in the final 20 minutes of the match, as Vidal lashed an effort off target and substitute Angelo Sagal blazed over from eight yards. Ter Stegen then denied Chile in time added on, diving low to his left to keep out Sanchez’s free-kick to ensure victory for Low’s experimental squad.