Germany's players run towards the trophy as they celebrate winning the 2017 Confederations Cup final football match between Chile and Germany at the Saint Petersburg Stadium in Saint Petersburg on July 2, 2017. (Photo: Mladen ANTONOV / AFP)
Two days after Germany Under-21 football team defeated Spain and won the European Championship, manager Joachim Lw's youthful squad secured the first Confederations Cup with victory over Copa America winner Chile in St. Petersburg, Russia, on Sunday.
Chile started the final with a fierce tempo, despite having a plenty of goalscoring chances missed by Alexis Sanchez, Arturo Vidal and Eduardo Vargas.
Borussia Monchengladbach forward Lars Stindl struck the only goal after a defensive slip in the 20th minute.
Juan Antonio Pizzi's squad continued to penetrate the opponent defence, yet the world champions Germany ended the first half strongly.
The game's top-notched tension and score remained amid the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) controversy as both team exchanged attacks in the second half.
Lw and his squad's success in Russia was achieved without a number of players who contributed in winning the 2014 World Cup. Several players like Manuel Nauer, Mats Hummels, Toni Kroos, Mesut Oezil and Thomas Muller have been rested in preparation forthe next 2018 World Cup.
"The fact that these young players have won this trophy is a historic achievement. Its unique in Germany history," Lw said to the guardian.com.
(brl/red)
