Manuel Veth - Welcome from the semi-final of FIFA Confederations Cup. We are at the Krestovsky Stadium in Saint Petersburg to cover Chile v Germany.
Manuel Veth –
Welcome from the semi-final of FIFA Confederations Cup. We are at the Krestovsky Stadium in Saint Petersburg to cover Chile v Germany.
Chile v Germany Trophy Presentation
Chile are collecting their silver medals and applaud the many travelling Chilean supporters. They then turn over to form an honour guard for the German team. That is a class act by La Roja. This is Germany’s first triumph at the FIFA Confederations Cup and they are now aiming to become the first country to win the Confederations Cup and then the World Cup.
Germany win the Confederations Cup. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Bongarts/Getty Images)
Chile v Germany Awards Ceremony
Claudio Bravo wins the award for the best keeper of the tournament. Timo Werner wins the Golden Boot and the adidas Golden Ball award goes to Julian Draxler. Draxler deserves it based on this match. But whether he was really the best player of the tournament remains subjective. Leon Goretzka also had a fabulous showing at the Confederations Cup and would have also deserved it.
Timo Werner has won the Golden Boot (YURI CORTEZ/AFP/Getty Images)
Chile v Germany 0-1
Germany have done it! Joachim Löw’s young side has held Chile at bay and has won the Confederations Cup. In the end, it was a deserved result as Germany had the better chances in the second half and could, perhaps should, have scored a second and third goal. Die Mannschaft, therefore, caps of a perfect weekend where the U-21 and the senior side have won their respective titles.
https://twitter.com/FutbolgradLive/status/881604252300455939
90. Minute
Great free kick by Alexis Sanchez. But Ter Stegen is on guard and stops the shot.
90. Minute
Niklas Süle is on for Leon Goretzka. Germany need to withstand five minutes of extra time here.
89. Minute
Löw brought on Emre Can to act as the enforcer against a physical Chile side. The Liverpool man has just done that.
87. Minute
Germany with the chance to put this game to bed. Several German players have swarmed forward and can easily pick apart Chile’s defence. But in the end they lack the determination to finish the play and make it 2-0.
86. Minute
Lars Stindl almost with the second goal. The Gladbach striker is just one step to late to get the ball past Bravo.
84. Minute
Big chance for Chile. Ter Stegen makes a mistake and can’t control the ball. Sanchez passes the ball back to the centre, but Sagal manages to shoot the ball over the bar from just nine yards out.
80. Minute
Double substitution for Chile. Edson Puch and Angelo Sagal are on and Vargas and Aranguiz are off.
79. Minute
Charles Aranguiz with an attempt from outside the box. Ter Stegen can stop the shot though.
78. Minute
Germany with a substitution. Emre Can is coming on for Timo Werner.
75. Minute
Chile are now on the attack. Die Mannschaft have to withstand the pressure now that La Roja is putting on the young team.
73. Minute
Eduardo Vargas with a good finish from the penalty spot. But ter Stegen can stop the shot.
71. Minute
Chile finally manage to get into Germany’s box, but Alexis Sánchez’s run is stopped by the collective effort of Germany’s backline.
68. Minute
Chile have resorted to physical play. A sign that they are running out of steam against this youthful German side?
65. Minute
The press box is baffled. How did Jara not receive a red card? VAR appears to be a bit of a joke at this tournament.
62. Minute
Timo Werner in a foot race with Gonzalo Jara the Chilean defender wins the ball and hits Werner in the face with his elbow. We get several minutes of VAR here before he gives Jara a yellow card.
60. Minute
Again rough play by Chile. Are La Roja losing their nerves?
57. Minute
Joshua Kimmich in an altercation with several Chile players and it appears that Arturo Vidal punches his Bayern teammate. Referee Milorad Mažic, however, leaves the red card in the pocket and gives both players a yellow card.
54. Minute
Julian Draxler almost with the second goal. The Paris Saint-German attacking midfielder picks up the ball in his own half and runs through Chile’s entire defence. His shot, however, is defelcted and misses the target.
51. Minute
Chile are going to make a chance and bring on Leonardo Valencia for Marcelo Diaz.
49. Minute
More of the same here from Germany. Die Mannschaft is waiting for Chile to give the ball away in order to hit La Roja with their quick attacking players.
46. Minute
We are back underway at the Krestovsky Arena.
Chile v Germany – Halftime
Chile was the stronger of the two sides early on and should have taken the lead. But then Germany scored out of nowhere and has since taken control of the match. In fact, Germany should have scored perhaps one or two more goals after taken the lead. On the whole die Mannschaft deserves their lead despite a slow start.
https://twitter.com/FutbolgradLive/status/881585916896305152
44. Minute
Next chance Germany! Chile give the ball away and three German attackers swarm into La Roja’s box. Leon Goretzka, however, opts to shoot rather than pass and Claudio Bravo can block the attempt.
42. Minute
Germany match plan is clear. Sit deep absorb the pressure and hit La Roja on the counter-attack.
39. Minute
Next chance for Germany. Timo Werner escapes his defender and then passes the ball to Julian Draxler, but his shot from 19-yards just misses Claudio Bravo’s goal.
38. Minute
Much better now from Germany, who have created several chances now and could be up by two at this point.
35. Minute
Chance Germany. Die Mannschaft is slowly gaining control over the midfield and as a result, can develop chances. After a great combination, Leon Goretzka receives the ball at the edge of the box, but his shot misses the target.
31. Minute
Better now from die Mannschaft, who are now absorbing the pressure a bit better and looking for counter-attacks.
28. Minute
Arturo Vidal just misses a cross from Eduardo Vargas. Chile remain the more dangerous of the two teams. But Germany seem a bit more settled at the moment.
24. Minute
The goal should have settled Germany, but the backline is still making to many mistakes. At th, s point it will only be a question of time for Chile to equalize.
22. Minute
Typical Germany one could say. Chile were the far better team up to this point. But Germany have one chance and score. Football can be cruel.
20. Minute TOOOOOOOOOR
Out of nowhere Germany score. Timo Werner wins the ball after a defensive mistake and runs in the box and slides the ball over to Lars Stindl who passes the ball into the empty net.
Lars Stindl slots the ball home after a mixup in the Chile defence. World Champions lead 0:1 #CHIGER pic.twitter.com/vw6Zfd102t
— Futbolgrad (@FutbolgradLive) July 2, 2017
19. Minute
Chile definitely look sharper and more relaxed at this point. La Roja have one chance after another and deserve a goal at this point.
16. Minute
Chile press high here and manage to keep die Mannschaft around their own box. La Roja are definitely dominant here.
13. Minute
Finally Germany with a meaningful attack. Lars Stindl breaks through on the right flank and then crosses the ball into the centre were Jean Beausejour has to do well to clear the ball.
12. Minute
The young DFB team is nervous. Leon Goretzka fails to control the ball allowing Vargas to test ter Stegen. But the Barcelona keeper is ready and collects the ball.
11. Minute
Second long range attempt by Chile. This time it is Eduardo Vargas, who attempts to test ter Stegen. But his shot misses the goal.
9. Minute
Germany struggle to gain control over this match. Chile are to dominant here not giving Germany any room to develop their game plan.
6. Minute
Arturo Vidal with a shot from 25-yards out. He misses the target by several yards, however.
4. Minute
Shkodran Mustafi needlessly gives the ball away in midfield allowing Chile to attack. Germany’s keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen has to do well to parry the shot by Alexis Sánchez.
3. Minute
As expected Chile with some aggressive pressing play right from the kickoff. Germany will have to do well here to absorb the pressure without making mistakes.
1. Minute
Chile kick off.
Chile v Germany – Kickoff
Here we go the national anthems have been sung and we are ready for kickoff.
Chile v Germany – Buildup
20:55
The teams are coming on the pitch for the national anthems. Meanwhile Marco van Basten just walked past us to take his spot in the press box.
Marco van Basten is part of a FIFA delegation observing this game. Image by Manuel Veth
20:50
Just ten minutes until kickoff. Jonas Hector looked poised during warmup. The 1.FC Köln wing-back will play a key role for Germany today.
Jonas Hector (KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP/Getty Images)
20:45
15 minutes until kickoff. Here is the tactical linuep for both teams.
https://twitter.com/FutbolgradLive/status/881568149077983233
20:30
Germany have been warming up for ten minutes now. Chile, however, has just emerged onto the field. Pizzi taking his time with sending out his men. We will see if that will give him an advantage.
20:20
Both sets of keepers are on the field now for their warmups. What is noticeable though Chile have a clear advantage in terms of support. Keeper Claudio Bravo is greeted by several thousand Chile supporters. Chile supporters have the numerical advantage here in Saint Petersburg, which was especially noticeable on our morning walk in the city where La Roja fans dominated the city scape.
20:10
As expected in Manuel Veth’s preview (in German) for Onefootball.com Chile are going to play with a 4-3-1-2 formation. Arturo Vidal will be playing just behind the two forwards Alexis Sánchez and Eduardo Vargas. With Vidal filling up the centre-forward role Pizzi hopes to have a breaker up front, who can cause damage against the three big German defenders.
20:05
La Roja have also announced their lineup. Head coach Juan Antonio Pizzi is starting the match with the following lineup:
https://twitter.com/LaRoja/status/881556549742854145
20:00
The Germany lineup is here! The only major surprise perhaps is that Shkodran Mustafi is back in the squad for Bayern München’s Niklas Süle. The Arsenal defender gave the ball away in the group stage match paving the way for Alexis Sánchez to score the opening goal. Other than that there are almost no changes. As expected Lars Stindl and Timo Werner will start up front.
https://twitter.com/DFB_Team_EN/status/881554822759055360
19:45
Joshua Kimmich, Timo Werner Bernd Leno, as well as, manager Oliver Bierhoff and goalkeeper coach Andi Köpke are on the pitch right now to take in the atmosphere. We are eagerly awaiting the lineup for this match. But what we can tell you is that this is the first time Germany will be playing at this stadium.
19:40
Brazilian legend Ronaldo has just delivered the trophy. Ronaldo won the trophy with the Seleção in 1997.
We are about to get underway here at the Krestovsky Stadium. The Chile v Germany final game ceremony has almost concluded. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Bongarts/Getty Images)
19:30
The closing ceremony is well underway with Aleksandr Kerzhakov converting a symbolic penalty to kick off the final of the tournament.
19:10
Ten minutes until the closing ceremony. We are now inside the stadium and actually ran into former Zenit Saint Petersburg forward Hulk. The Brazilian striker, who now plays in China, is one of the ambassadors of the tournament.
Former Zenit Saint Petersburg forward Hulk on the way to the stadium. Image by Manuel Veth
18:45
Joachim Löw was adamant at the press conference yesterday that this tournament, although important, cannot be compared with the World Cup. “A World Cup is a five to six week long event, when one includes the preparations, and is therefore much more complicated to play. At a World Cup a single mistake can make the difference.” His press conference yesterday almost seemed like a stern reminder that winning the UEFA U-21 European Championship or the Confederations Cup mean nothing should Germany fail to win the World Cup next season. For me read our full analysis on Löw’s press conference right HERE 👇
https://twitter.com/FutbolgradLive/status/881536388486893569
18:10
The excitement is building around the stadium. There are also some prominent faces in the stands today. The president of the Russian Football Union Vitaly Mutko will be in the stands today. FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who handed out the bronze medals at the Portugal vs Mexico game in Moscow earlier is also expected at the game. Furthermore, Olympic Gold Medal winner and representative of the city of Volgograd Yelena Isanbeyeva will be in the stadium. Isinbayeva just visited the media centre to answer questions about her hometown Volgograd.
Yelena Isinbayeva at the media centre in Saint Petersburg – Image by Manuel Veth
17:00
We have arrived at the Krestovsky Stadium in Saint Petersburg ahead of the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup final between Chile and Germany. We had the opportunity to take a stroll through the city earlier and encountered many Chile supporters in the streets of Saint Petersburg. The South Americans have taken this tournament very seriously and hope to win their third title in as many years. Germany, in turn, were accused of not taking this tournament seriously at all. Especially, after Joachim Löw decided to nominate an experimental side for this tournament. But Germany’s young squad has taken this tournament by storm and may have been the most exciting team to watch thus far at the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup. With die Mannschaft now in the final people back in Germany have now tuned in to watch the Confederations Cup. 11 million viewers watched the semi-final against Mexico and it is expected that the nation will tune in for the final as well. Joachim Löw in the meantime has been adamant that winning the Confederations Cup is only a stepping stone towards winning the World Cup next year.
https://twitter.com/FutbolgradLive/status/881481576223301632
COMMENTS