Germany have progressed to the Confed Cup semi-finals as group winners thanks to goals from Kerem Demirbay and Timo Werner. Joachim Löw’s side beat African Champions Cameroon 3-1. After Demirbay opened the scoring (48’), Werner bagged a brace (66’, 81’), while Vincent Aboubakar netted a consolation (79’).
It was Löw’s 100th win in his 150th game in charge. Germany recorded two wins and a draw to pick up seven points and finish top of Group B. They will now face Mexico in the semi-final on Thursday (20:00 CEST). Mexico finished second in Group A behind European Champions Portugal.
Löw made four changes to the side that started the 1-1 draw with Chile. Marvin Plattenhardt and Demirbay made their first appearances in the tournament in Russia. Antonio Rüdiger also returned to the line-up, while Werner started.
Can and Kimmich miss chances to give Germany half-time lead
Germany’s opponents started strongly in front of the 30,230 fans at the Olympic Stadium in Sochi, while the World Champions bided their time. In the fifth minute, Germany countered and threatened their opponents’ goal but Joshua Kimmich, who was in a promising position, was unable to connect with the cross. They continued to put pressure on Cameroon in their own penalty area but clear-cut chances were few and far between for Löw’s men.
Cameroon tried to press but Germany were well set up to deal with the challenge and prevented their opponents from getting the ball in the danger areas. Emre Can created Germany’s first good chance in the 21st minute, but his shot from distance went just wide of Fabrice Ondoa’s goal. Kimmich once again missed the opportunity to open the scoring just three minutes later. He met Plattenhardt’s cross but couldn’t direct his header on target. Marc-André ter Stegen produced a fine stop to deny Andre Zambo Anguissa just before halftime (45’) to prevent Germany going in 1-0 down at the break.
Chile against Portugal in other semi-final
Shortly after the break, Demirbay gave Germany the lead with a powerful, long-range strike (48’) after neat build-up play from Draxler. It was 23-year-old Demirbay’s first international goal in just his second appearance. The 1899 Hoffenheim midfielder made his debut on the 6th June against Denmark.
Boosted by their opener, Germany continued to threaten with both Werner and Kimmich missing good chances to make it 2-0. After Cameroon‘s Ernest Mabouka was sent off (64’), Werner headed home Germany’s second (66’) from close range. Aboubakar netted a consolation (79’) before Werner sealed the win.
Germany have progressed to the Confed Cup semi-finals as group winners thanks to goals from Kerem Demirbay and Timo Werner. Joachim Löw’s side beat African Champions Cameroon 3-1. After Demirbay opened the scoring (48’), Werner bagged a brace (66’, 81’), while Vincent Aboubakar netted a consolation (79’).
It was Löw’s 100th win in his 150th game in charge. Germany recorded two wins and a draw to pick up seven points and finish top of Group B. They will now face Mexico in the semi-final on Thursday (20:00 CEST). Mexico finished second in Group A behind European Champions Portugal.
Löw made four changes to the side that started the 1-1 draw with Chile. Marvin Plattenhardt and Demirbay made their first appearances in the tournament in Russia. Antonio Rüdiger also returned to the line-up, while Werner started.
Can and Kimmich miss chances to give Germany half-time lead
Germany’s opponents started strongly in front of the 30,230 fans at the Olympic Stadium in Sochi, while the World Champions bided their time. In the fifth minute, Germany countered and threatened their opponents’ goal but Joshua Kimmich, who was in a promising position, was unable to connect with the cross. They continued to put pressure on Cameroon in their own penalty area but clear-cut chances were few and far between for Löw’s men.
Cameroon tried to press but Germany were well set up to deal with the challenge and prevented their opponents from getting the ball in the danger areas. Emre Can created Germany’s first good chance in the 21st minute, but his shot from distance went just wide of Fabrice Ondoa’s goal. Kimmich once again missed the opportunity to open the scoring just three minutes later. He met Plattenhardt’s cross but couldn’t direct his header on target. Marc-André ter Stegen produced a fine stop to deny Andre Zambo Anguissa just before halftime (45’) to prevent Germany going in 1-0 down at the break.
Chile against Portugal in other semi-final
Shortly after the break, Demirbay gave Germany the lead with a powerful, long-range strike (48’) after neat build-up play from Draxler. It was 23-year-old Demirbay’s first international goal in just his second appearance. The 1899 Hoffenheim midfielder made his debut on the 6th June against Denmark.
Boosted by their opener, Germany continued to threaten with both Werner and Kimmich missing good chances to make it 2-0. After Cameroon‘s Ernest Mabouka was sent off (64’), Werner headed home Germany’s second (66’) from close range. Aboubakar netted a consolation (79’) before Werner sealed the win.
