Germany Confederations Cup Champions As Chile Defeat Themselves
REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov
If there is a quote that can be aptly fit into the Confederations Cup final after the events that took place, it is that, “Football is a simple game. Twenty-two men chase a ball for 90 minutes and at the end, the Germans always win.” Gary’s Lineker’s words came true last night as a young German side managed to become champions of the Cup after defeating opponents Chile, in a thrilling encounter that ended 1-0.
The current World Cup champions went into this tournament without majority of their star players and despite having inexperience, it was determination and raw talent that helped them go all the way.
As Germany came up against Chile, Joachim Low’s side were the ones heading into the contest as favourites. However, the opening half of the match seemed anything but, as Alexis Sanchez and his team were prepared to give the World Champions a good run for their money. The South American side bossed the game with majority of possession and had the stats racked up in their favour. The chances came their way in high numbers as the team managed to fire a total of almost 20 shots at the German goal. Sadly though, none of the efforts managed to find a way into the back of the goal as Ter Stegen was adamant to end the tournament with a clean sheet to his name.
To further add salt into Chile’s wounds, it was the Germans that managed to take the lead, as a horror filled first half error by Marcelo Diaz was pounced on by Timo Werner, who then provided an easy assist for Lars Stindl to tap in to an empty net and open the scoring. That was the first meaningful shot on target by the Germans and as Champions have it, it was all they needed.
The game then caught pace and intensity as Arturo Vidal and his troops pushed forward for an equaliser. Things got physically feisty after the Bayern Munich midfielder and his club team mate, Joshua Kimmich, got into a bust up on the pitch. It took a while to get the two separated and ensure the restoring of peace in the match, but coming at the expense of the duo entering the referee’s books with a yellow card each. Juan Anotonio Pizzi’s men continued raiding the opposition goal with chance after chance, but seemed to be missing quality in the final third on a day when they needed it the most.
Angelo Sagal was presented with probably the best opportunity of the second half, but his 85th minute attempt was shot over the bar from a distance of nothing further than 8 yards out. The game kept both sets of fans on the edge of their seats till the dying seconds, and when Alexis Sanchez sent a free kick towards the corner of Ter Stegen’s goal in virtually the last attack of the game, the Chilean fans almost celebrated an equaliser before the big gloves of the Barcelona keeper came around to stop anything from entering his fortress for the night.
REUTERS/Martin Acosta
The match will go down as a game that Chile managed to lose, rather than Germany accomplishing a victory. However, Low and his side deserve much credit for winning such a competition with a squad missing most of its regular fire power. That is the end of International football for the season and all we have to look forward to now, is the return of club football next month.
Written by Vikram Gupta 
An attacker with his words, and defends each of them with pride. A love for the game which goes hand in hand with his will to forever write. A graduate in the course of advertising and a hopeful to be author. Herrera for the win.