Leon Goretzka’s early strikes send Mexico packing
Goretzka had Germany 2-0 up inside eight minutes after scoring a brace in a span of one minute, 48 seconds. Later Timo Werner added the third goal in the second half.
Mexico could not respond for the bulk of 90 minutes until, Marco Fabian’s stunning long-range strike in the 89th minute. But that too was canceled by Amin Younes in stoppage time.
Now the Germans will play Chile in Sunday’s final. On the other hand, Mexico and Portugal will go head to head for the third-place playoff game.
The Mexican goalkeeper Ochoa was quite ordinary in this match. To be able to concede two goals so early easily was not good keeping.
The Schalke man opened the scoring in the sixth minute with a powerful shot after Benjamin Henrichs gave the ball to him.
And less than two minutes later, Goretzka had his second, this time beating Guillermo Ochoa with a shot to the far post from Timo Werner’s through ball.
Mexico tried to comeback into this game but was successfully denied by ter Stegen on most occasions. Giovani dos Santos and his brother Jonathan made ter Stegen to make a double save.
Two minutes later, Mexico had their best chance go begging as the ball fell to Javier Hernandez close to goal but the striker put his hurried attempt over the bar.
In the second half Germany were to add another goal to their tally. Timo Werner scored the goal to get into the tournament’s golden boot race.
Raul Jimenez came close to denting Germany’s lead in the 75th minute, with his shot hitting the crossbar. But it was only Fabian who got Mexico a consolation goal. Younes later canceled out the only Mexican goal soon in the stoppage time.
Mexico must be disappointed with their exit but they know Germany are an excellent side. This young German side will be very confident now of a good showing in the final.
