Leon Goretzka scored twice in the Confederations Cup semi finals against Mexico as Germany handed out a 4-1 drubbing to their North American competitors, helping the Germans qualify for the final of the prestigious trophy. This happened despite the fluid Mexicans possessing more of the ball. The young German team, lacking the experience that won them the last World Cup, exploited the wide open spaces left by a failing Mexican defence. Goretzka helped his team get ahead in the first half, scoring twice in the first eight minutes, before Timo Werner and Amin Younus helped Germany take their tally to four goals in the second half. For Mexico, it was only Marco Fabian who scored a somewhat of a grace goal in the 89th minute, to save the Mexicans from the ignominy of a clean sheet. World Champions Germany have rested their top players Manuel Neuer, Mats Hummels, Mesut Ozil, Thomas Muller and Toni Kroos, and the starting lineup had an average age of just 24 last night, but it was a ruthless performance nonetheless. They will face yet another South American team Chile in the finals at St.Petersburg on Sunday in what is expected to be an exciting match. Mexico’s fans will be gravely disappointed with their team’s performance and the missed chances agains the second string German team, and will be left wondering about their team’s chances in next year’s World Cup. Mexico has had six successive quarterfinals exits from the World Cup, and the team has been looking to progress for the longest time now.
Germany opened their account in the sixth minute when Benjamin Henrichs jumped in from the right and Goretzka netted the ball with a safe low pass. It was only 49 seconds later when Werner put the ball expertly through an opening in the Mexican defence which was enough for Goretzka to put the ball home. Mexico held the ball 58% of the whole play time, and had 25 shots at the goal but the German defence held firm, and two second half goals put the Europeans on course to glory in the Confederations Cup.
