Inside a packed Stadion Krestovskyi in Saint Petersburg, Russia, current reigning World Cup champions Germany’s young superstars have silenced their doubters and defeated Chile 1-0 to win the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup.
This is the first time Die Mannschaft have won the competition, having previously only gone as far as the semi-final rounds.
Germany have won the competition despite resting their main stars, including Marco Reus, Manuel Neuer, and Thomas Muller, instead opting to put faith in their youth players. The squad’s average age is just 24.5 years old and yet that gamble has truly paid off for manager Joachim Low, with his charges giving everyone else in the competition a run for their money.
Borussia Monchengladbach forward Lars Stindl stepped up for his country in the final when he scored the one and only goal in the match on the 20th minute. The move started from a poor pass from Chile’s Marcelo Diaz, which allowed Germany to counter-attack and score a goal, with wonderkid Julian Draxler providing the assist.
Despite heroic efforts from Claudio Bravo between the sticks, Los Rojas came up short at the most crucial point, having tossed away two big chances in the closing minutes of the match. Now they go back home to their country empty-handed.
“There were moments when our legs didn’t respond,” Said the Chilean keeper, who plays for Real Madrid at club level.
“But we played with our hearts. We knew at this level you can’t make mistakes, but again, no regrets,” Bravo added.
While there is mourning in Chile, festivities are on their way in Germany, with manager Joachim Low incredibly impressed by what his young side have achieved.
“Of course I am extremely proud of this team,” Low said in his post-match press conference.
“No matter whether it was in training or during the matches, you felt a winning spirit. That’s why I feel it was deserved. For us and our young players it was a somewhat magical game. How much we wanted that win has impressed me deeply,” the German tactician added.
Germany have now won a second major trophy at national level this year, with their greenhorns recently winning the U21 European Championship. The pressure will now definitely on for them to go back to Russia next year and win the 2018 World Cup. Can they do it? All that, of course, we have to wait and see.