The semi finals are over and we have our finalists. After two thrilling matches filled with drama, emotions and top level football, it is Chile and Germany who have emerged victorious and are now set to face each other once again in the final.
Chile was the first to get their ticket to the final this past Wednesday, when they beat Portugal in a penalty shootout where Bravo put on a cape and became a hero for his nation. Coming from a terrible season at Manchester City, the Chilean keeper showed once again that night why he used to play for Barcelona.
120 minutes of intense football, with both Chile and Portugal failing to score; but mostly Chile, saw the match go into the penalties. Once there, either team could have won, but Bravo was not having any of that. According to Vidal, Bravo told his teammates before the shootout to “not worry, because he was going to stop two or three penalties.” And that is exactly what he did. With great confidence, composure and concentration he stopped all three of Portugal’s penalties, killing their hopes of another trophy.
Bravo’s feat of stopping the first three penalties consecutively is only the second time it has ever happened in an international tournament. Vidal, Sanchez, Aránguiz are the other MVP’s of the match with a tireless performance, which saw Cristiano Ronaldo overshadowed and whom did not even get to take a penalty himself.
The Germany – Mexico Match
Unlike with the first semi final match, the second one; where Germany faced Mexico, had the ball meet the net plenty of times, finishing with a score of 4 – 1. But don’t let the final tally fool you; the Germans had to suffer the advances of Mexican team throughout the first half. Unfortunately for them, lack of luck, and more so finishing, ended the hopes of “El Tri” for a final.
Two very early goals from Leon Goretzka put the Germans comfortably ahead. From then on, it would be Mexico who would hold possession of the ball and try, to no avail, to score. After missing many chances, German effectiveness and neat passing resulted in the three – nil to secure their place on the final.
However, Mexicans would get glimmer of happiness when Marcos Fabián banged it in from 40 yards out in the 88th minute. A beautiful goal for sure, but Amin Younes scored the fourth for Germany two minutes later to end the match. Odd decisions from Osorio, El Tri’s coach, no doubt contributed to this result.
Despite being a “B” team, and missing most of its usual starters, this Germany team has been mostly uncontested this tournament. And now the final is upon us.
This Sunday Chile will meet Germany on the field again to decide who will take the Confederations Cup trophy home. Last time it ended 1 – 1 between them, with the match being one of the most entertaining of the tournament until that point.
Who will win the cup? Will it be the world champions, or will it be the South American two time consecutive champions?