Germany 1-0 Chile: World Cup winners enjoy Confederations Cup glory

Borussia Monchengladbach forward Stindl tapped home against the run of play after a defensive blunder midway through the first half as world champions Germany added another major trophy to their collection.

Copa America winners Chile wasted a glut of goalscoring chances in either half and with the help of a superb stoppage-time save from goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Joachim Low's side held on to win the tournament for the first time.

After the two sides drew their group game 1-1 10 days ago, Chile made the brighter start in the rematch and were clearly the better side throughout most of the first period.

Alexis Sanchez flashed a shot wide in the second minute, Arturo Vidal's effort from inside the penalty area was parried by Ter Stegen and Eduardo Vargas fired over the crossbar from 25 yards.

Another effort from Vargas was well held by Ter Stegen as Chile looked the more likely to break the deadlock.

Ter Stegen then spilled Vidal's shot from outside the area into the path of Sanchez, but the Arsenal forward could not control the rebound and another chance went begging.

Moments later Germany snatched a 20th-minute lead with their first meaningful effort on goal.

Chile defender Marcelo Diaz gifted Timo Werner the ball on the edge of the box and the Germany striker ran on and turned the ball across goal for Stindl to tap into an empty net.

The South Americans carved open the German defence again four minutes later, but the final ball into the box from Mauricio Isla flew beyond Charles Aranguiz with an equaliser beckoning.

Germany finished the half strongly, with Leon Goretzka lashing an angled shot wide following Sebastian Rudy's brilliant through-ball before Julian Draxler steered a low effort inches wide after being set up by Werner.

Early in the second period, Gonzalo Jara's last-ditch block deflected Draxler's shot wide before Serbian referee Milorad Mazic booked Bayern Munich team-mates Joshua Kimmich and Vidal following a fracas as the game turned feisty.

Mazic called on the video assistant referee just after the hour mark when Jara appeared to strike Werner in the jaw with his elbow as he challenged for the ball. But the VAR review courted more controversy when Mazic opted to show the fortunate Chile defender a yellow card.

Chile began to threaten again with 20 minutes left. Vargas' low shot on the turn inside the area was gathered by Ter Stegen and Vidal thumped the ground in frustration after lashing his effort off target.

Edson Puch set up fellow Chile substitute Angelo Sagal for another gilt-edged chance in the 85th minute, but the latter blazed over from eight yards.

Ter Stegen denied Chile again in time added on, diving low to his left to keep out Sanchez's free-kick from just outside the area to ensure victory for Low's experimental squad.

Post-match reaction 

Joachim Low claimed Germany were "still the best team in the world" after they won the Confederations Cup.

"Before the match, (Chile midfielder Arturo) Vidal had said that winning this cup would mean they are the best team in the world," Low told a press conference.

"Well, this cup means that at the moment Germany is still the best team in the world. And with such a young side!"

Low controversially included just three World Cup winners in his squad for the Confederations Cup, but his experimental line-ups excelled throughout the tournament to add another major trophy to their cabinet.

"Jokingly, we could say that now we have to think about which of the players we left at home we can still add to this team next year," Low said.

"Seriously though, we have created alternatives, by giving young players experience in such games as has happened here.

"Winning here and at the European Under-21 Championship does not guarantee the World Cup next year. Germany always belong to the favourites and we will be capable of handling that."

Chile head coach Juan Antonio Pizzi said: "We played an amazing match and made a huge effort.

"We imposed our game plan for a while, created chances but football is the way it is.

"Sometimes there are mistakes in football. It is normal to be disappointed when you lose a final. But knowing we can compete against the best teams in the world makes us happy. We will try to keep our style of play."