Germany storms into Confederation final

Attacking midfielder Goretzka ran riot in Sochi with goals on six and eight minutes before Timo Werner and substitute Amin Younes netted in the second half. Marco Fabian scored Mexico’s stunning consolation in the 89th minute with a thunderbolt freekick from long range. World champions Germany will face Chile in Sunday’s final in St Petersburg while Mexico play Portugal in Moscow’s third-place play-off. 

Goretzka and Werner are now the tournament’s joint top-scorers with three goals a-piece in Russia. Germany head coach Joachim Loew pulled a surprise before kick-off by naming 20-year-old Benjamin Henrichs on the right wing for only his third international and first start in Russia. 

The bold move paid off as Henrichs pounced on an early mistake and his pass found Goretzka sprinting towards the box. The Schalke forward took the ball in his stride and stroked his shot past Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa on six minutes. 

Goretzka struck again soon after when Werner’s pass split the Mexican defence open and he drove home. The early goals sparked life into comeback kings Mexico, who fought back in all three group stage matches. It was three shortly before the hour mark when Draxler’s pass into the area found Jonas Hector, who drew Ochoa for Werner to tap home.

Mexico pulled one back when  Fabian stepped up for a free-kick just inside the German half, but his strike rocketed into the top corner. Substitute Younes settled any nerves with a fourth goal in injury-time.