..::Football IV::..

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Neymar's release clause at Barcelona increased to €222m

Neymar’s release clause at Barcelona has been increased to €222 million (£192.5m).

The cost of buying the Brazilian out of his contract has been automatically raised as part of his current deal at Camp Nou.When putting pen to paper in October 2016, Barca inserted a €200m buy-out clause in Neymar’s terms.

It was stipulated that regular rises would be made to help keep the forward in Catalonia.One of those has now kicked in, with Barca understandably reluctant to part with a prized asset.

They have seen Neymar linked with the likes of Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain in the recent past, with the 25-year-old now one of the world’s top talents.Barca will, however, continue to fend off any interest being shown.

Having sought to price Neymar out of the current market, his release clause will be nudged up again to €250m in 2018.That will draw him level with Lionel Messi and the terms he agreed back in 2014.

The Argentine is, however, currently locked in discussions regarding fresh terms, with Goal revealing that a lucrative contract is set to be signed once Messi returns to Europe after his summer wedding.Barca will be hoping that both he and Neymar continue to shine for many years to come.


The latter passed 100 goals for the club during the 2016-17 campaign, with the target having now been found 105 times in just 186 appearances.

 

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Barcelona and Man Utd target Saul signs Atletico Madrid deal to 2026

Saul Niguez has signed a huge new Atletico Madrid contract, with the reported Barcelona target extending his deal to 2026.

The 22-year-old already had a long-term deal at the club but has extended his contract for another five seasons ahead of Atleti's move to their new stadium, the Wanda Metropolitano.

Saul has long been linked with a move to Barcelona, with Manchester United also reportedly interested in bringing him to the Premier League, but Atleti have been able to persuade the Spain international to commit his future to the club."I am very happy because at Atleti we are a family and there is no better place to be," Saul said.

"I will work my full potential on the field as always to pay back the trust that the club is giving to me. I'd like to thank all my team-mates and the coaching staff for their help day by day so that I can be the player I am today."

Saul claimed the Golden Boot for the 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship after netting five goals in Spain's run to the final, where they lost 1-0 to Germany.

The midfielder hit a brilliant hat-trick in Spain's 3-1 semi-final win against Italy and Barcelona were put on high alert when he subsequently told reporters he wanted "to earn a bit more money to be able to help out the family".

Atletico moved quickly to tie Saul down to fresh terms to fend off Barca and United and Saul will remain a key player in Diego Simeone's plans for the new LaLiga season.

And sporting director Jose Luis Caminero was delighted to end transfer rumours surrounding Saul by announcing his new deal."Saul is an example for all the kids in our academy," Caminero said. "An example of giving, teamwork, solitary on the field and an impressive quality.

"He is an all-around player, with great aerial power, an amazing long distance shooting skill, a tireless worker, a young player with lots of experiences.

"We should feel happy for the agreement we reached because he is such a great player and there are no limits to his growth."

 

[BIG-BOSS]

බෝලේ

 

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Real Madrid told Mbappe can be Ronaldo's heir by Dugarry

Kylian Mbappe has been billed as Cristiano Ronaldo’s heir at Real Madrid, with Christophe Dugarry urging the Blancos to snap up the Monaco forward.The 18-year-old enjoyed a breakout season in 2016-17, with a 26-goal haul seeing him earn admiring glances from across Europe and a £100 million price tag.

That valuation has done little to curb Madrid’s interest, as the La Liga champions are always in the market for global stars with the potential to shine for them on and off the field.

Dugarry believes the Spanish giants need to do all they can to get a deal done as they could live to regret it if Mbappe ends up joining a European rival.

The former France international told RMC on the future of his highly-rated countryman: “There is a real decision to be made.“But sincerely if Mbappe doesn’t go to Real Madrid, it will be a mistake by Real Madrid."

He added: “He is the new gem of world football and with Ronaldo’s age, he must end up at Real Madrid," he added.“They are the best club in the world.”

Mbappe is under contract at Monaco until 2019 and recently revealed that he will give no thought to his future until he returns from a well-earned summer break.He said: "We're going to go away with the family and we'll think about what's going to happen.

“We have to sort it out, see what happens with the club too, because I'm under contract with a club, I'm not free. We'll see what's happening.”Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United have also been linked with moves for Mbappe, but Madrid are considered to be leading the chase.

 

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Chelsea sign former Man City goalkeeper Willy Caballero on free transfer

Chelsea have signed goalkeeper Willy Caballero on a free transfer.Caballero, who was out of contract after leaving Manchester City, has arrived as the Blues' new number two shot-stopper after Asmir Begovic moved to Bournemouth.The Argentine will deputise for Thibaut Courtois who is in negotiations with Chelsea to renew his contract at the club.

Speaking to Chelsea's official club website, he said: “I am very happy to join Chelsea, the champions of England.

“I am looking forward to meeting the guys and helping the club achieve more success in the coming season.”

Technical director Michael Emenalo added: “We are very happy to have Willy on board. He knows the Premier League and is tried and tested at the top of the game. “We have three experienced goalkeepers and we look forward to welcoming him to the club when the squad returns to pre-season training.”

Newcastle United also attempted to sign Caballero, 35, but he instead opted for Chelsea to replace Begovic, who was frustrated with a lack of first-team opportunities at Stamford Bridge and even tried to push for an exit in January.

Chelsea held onto Begovic in the winter market but they agreed to sell him in the summer, accepting Bournemouth's £10m offer in May.Caballero's departure from City was made public a while ago and Pep Guardiola has since brought in Ederson from Benfica for £34.7m to strengthen his options in goal.


Former Malaga man Caballero made 24 starts and a further two substitute appearances for City last season.

 

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Atletico want £40m Diego Costa deal despite transfer ban

Atletico Madrid are pushing ahead to secure a £40 million deal to sign Diego Costa, even though he will not be able to play for them until January.

The Spanish side cannot register new signings until 2018 due to a transfer ban imposed on them by FIFA for breaking rules regarding buying international players under the age of 16.They remain the only club interested in signing the striker, who was told by Antonio Conte via text message that he is not part of his plans for next season.

Rather than send him on loan until he becomes eligible to play, though, coach Diego Simeone would rather sign Costa and have him train with the squad for six months.

The Spain international was unsettled in January by a £76m bid from Tianjin Quanjian, who offered to treble his wages. However, interest from the Chinese Super League has died down due to a new 100% tax on transfers from abroad that was imposed by the Chinese Football Association.Chelsea are keen to move Costa, 28, on as they target Everton's Romelu Lukaku as a replacement. The Blues have already made over £120m in player sales in 2017.

Costa spent four years at Atletico before his move to Chelsea in 2014. He won La Liga and the Copa del Rey with the Rojiblancos and also reached the Champions League final with them in 2014.

 

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I like Alexis - Bayern boss Ancelotti open to Sanchez move

Carlo Ancelotti has reopened the door for Bayern Munich to make a move for Arsenal's in-demand forward Alexis Sanchez.

Bayern president Uli Hoeness this week seemingly ended speculation the Bundesliga champions would bid for Sanchez, who has a year left on his Arsenal contract, suggesting the club would not pay big money for older players.

But with the Chile international preparing to face Germany in Sunday's Confederations Cup final, Ancelotti indicated he would be interested in bringing 28-year-old Sanchez to Bayern.

"If an opportunity comes up, the club will be ready," Ancelotti said at a media conference to mark the first day of Bayern's pre-season preparations on Saturday."There are lots of rumours. Alexis is a great player but not the only one in the world. I like Alexis."

Hoeness had said Bayern would not be willing to pay fees in the region of €100 million for 29 and 30-year-olds but Ancelotti appears more keen to do a deal for Sanchez.

"There are possibilities in the transfer market, which can be in many directions," Ancelotti said. "I believe that the market is currently somewhat crazy - and Bayern is not a crazy club.

Hoeness had said Bayern would not be willing to pay fees in the region of €100 million for 29 and 30-year-olds but Ancelotti appears more keen to do a deal for Sanchez.

"There are possibilities in the transfer market, which can be in many directions," Ancelotti said. "I believe that the market is currently somewhat crazy - and Bayern is not a crazy club.

"I know the culture of this club and will not ask for any players for whom the club has to spend crazy sums, but if there are occasions, why not?"Sanchez was typically non-committal when he appeared at a news conference on Friday alongside Manchester City's Claudio Bravo, the forward asked directly by reporters whether he would join the goalkeeper at the Etihad Stadium.

"Good question!" Sanchez said. "Right now I'm focused on the Confederations Cup. When this is finished I will see if I stay or go."When pressed, Sanchez added: "Yes [my future] is clear, but I can't tell you."

 

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Guardiola will be loved for making Man City special - De Boer

Pep Guardiola will bring "special football" to Manchester City next season, Ronald de Boer says.

The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss was criticised throughout his maiden season in the Premier League, finishing third - 15 points behind champions Chelsea.

With Bernardo Silva and Ederson Moraes having already joined the club this summer, more is expected of Guardiola's side next season and his former Barca team-mate De Boer is confident he will deliver.

“He will improve ­Manchester City next season, ­without doubt," he said, according to The Mirror. “I say this because he’s the best ­manager. He changes games. He makes teams play. People in the street look at his teams and think, ‘Wow, OK, I want to see this!’.

"Fans will come to the stadium because they will see something happen. The result may not always be great, but they know the players will be playing ­attractively. They will do everything in their power to win games.“They might concede, but the ­supporters will enjoy watching them so much. And, yes, they will do better next season.

“I know you don’t get that time ­nowadays. Pep knows. You will see, for example, that this new striker Gabriel Jesus is amazing.“People will talk for decades about the Barcelona team that Pep had. That is what he can create at City.

“Barcelona played the most difficult game and were still ­Champions League winners. People say the defence was weak. It wasn’t. They played special football and they were loved for it.“And Pep will create this at City.”

Guardiola's men begin the 2017-18 Premire League campaign with newly-promoted Brighton & Hove Albion before hosting Everton at the Etihad Stadium.

 

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Mbappe and Monaco will make the best decision - Jardim

Leonardo Jardim hopes in-demand striker Kylian Mbappe will opt to remain at Monaco but acknowledged the club may struggle to keep their emerging stars.

After his goals fired Monaco to the Ligue 1 crown and the Champions League semi-finals last season, the 18-year-old attracted an offer of over €135 million from Paris Saint-Germain, while Real Madrid and Arsenal are also heavily interested.

However, Monaco's Portuguese coach, who has already seen Bernardo Silva join Manchester City, is hopeful of keeping the teenager for the title defence next term.
"I didn't talk to him, because he knows how we work, that we want to keep him," he told RMC."I think the club and he will make the best decision."

In an ominous indication for nervous Monaco fans, though, Jardim did concede the club's business model is likely to see them consider favourable offers for prized assets."I hope to keep the right players," he said. "It's not just me, all coaches in the world would like to keep the best players.

"But with the Monaco project, maybe it's not possible to always keep the best. We're going to look at what's going to happen. "The important thing now is to focus 100 per cent on our work, develop this young talent and afterwards we will look at which players have stayed."

 

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FIFA Confederations Cup 2017.07.02

FIFA Confederations Cup 2017

-------------------------------------

Third Place Match 2017.07.02

Portugal Vs Mexico

&

Final 2017.07.02

Chile Vs Germany

​

 

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Portugal 2 Mexico 1 (aet): Silva completes comeback as Santos' side seal third spot

Adrien Silva scored an extra-time winner as Portugal came from behind to beat Mexico 2-1 in the Confederations Cup third-place play-off in Moscow on Sunday.The midfielder converted a penalty after Pepe had snatched an equaliser in stoppage time to cancel out an own goal from Luis Neto.

Andre Silva had missed from the spot in the first half before Mexico claimed their fortuitous breakthrough and Juan Carlos Osorio's side looked set to end their campaign in Russia in winning fashion before their late collapse.

Fernando Santos' men came into the match off the back of a shoot-out defeat to Chile in the semi-finals, in which all three of their spot-kick takers saw their efforts saved by Claudio Bravo, and there was to be a similar penalty problems at Spartak Stadium.

Veteran Rafael Marquez was punished for a poor challenge by a VAR referral but Andre Silva, who was handed the responsibility with Cristiano Ronaldo having been allowed to travel home to be with his new twins, saw his effort brilliantly saved by Guillermo Ochoa.

Portugal were the more attacking of the two teams for much of the opening hour but they were dealt a major blow when Neto inadvertently deflected Javier Hernandez's cross into the net.

Santos' men applied the pressure and found an equaliser in second-half stoppage time, Pepe poking home his first competitive international goal since June 2012, before Adrien Silva kept his cool to seal the win with both sides finishing a man light due to red cards for Nelson Semedo and Raul Jimenez.

Portugal spurned the chance to cap their strong start with the opening goal when Ochoa saved well from Andre Silva's spot-kick.The AC Milan striker was scythed down by Marquez six yards from goal, but although referee Fahad Al Mirdasi awarded the penalty after a VAR consultation, Ochoa dived low to his right to keep out Silva's effort.

Nani headed over when unmarked in front of goal from the resulting corner as Portugal tried to keep up the early pressure, but it took a fine one-handed save from Rui Patricio to stop Mexico snatching the lead through Hernandez.

Gelson Martins had been one of Santos' more lively attackers and he almost broke the deadlock in fine style just after the break, latching onto a clever chip from Andre Silva before volleying just wide of the left-hand post.The European champions had looked unsteady at the back, though, and a dreadful mix-up saw them fall behind through Neto's own goal.

Hernandez drove to the byline to the left of the area and drilled the ball back across goal and, when Patricio failed to intercept, the ball cannoned off Neto's shin and into the net.

Portugal went straight in search of an equaliser and missed three clear chances in quick succession. Andre Silva rolled a shot wide from just inside the area before Ochoa produced a brilliant one-handed save to keep out a Martins' header, and Nani nodded wide when he met the resulting corner completely unchallenged six yards from goal.

Hernandez was denied by a good Patricio block on the break as Portugal committed more men to the attack and their pressure told in injury time, when Pepe stretched a leg to prod in Ricardo Quaresma's cross from the right.

And Portugal made no mistake with their second penalty of the match 15 minutes into extra-time, Adrien Silva converting confidently after Miguel Layun had blocked Martins' flick with a raised arm.

Semedo and Jimenez both picked up second yellow cards for high boots in the closing stages but Portugal held firm for the bronze-medal position in their first appearance at this tournament.

 

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Kimmich wants regular football at 'fantastic' Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich full-back Joshua Kimmich says it is "fantastic" to be at the club but he insists that he wants a regular starting spot under Carlo Ancelotti next season.

The Germany international's future was placed in doubt towards the end of the 2016-17 season, when he complained about a lack of opportunities in the starting line-up.

His comments led to speculation that he could reunite with former coach Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, while Manchester United and Atletico Madrid were also linked with a move.

Kimmich, who has been used as a defender and midfielder at Bayern, believes he is at one of the world's top three clubs but is eager to become a regular name on the team sheet next season and beyond.

"In the last two years, I played more times than a number of people had," he told L'Equipe. "I think I've developed my game and Bayern are one of the best three clubs in the world.

"Few players have the chance to become part of this club. It's absolutely fantastic to be part of Bayern."What's important now is to play. And, for the moment, I prefer to play at right-back than to be on the bench."

The 22-year-old, who made 40 appearances in all competitions last term, also feels he has improved as a full-back after playing in that position regularly for Germany.

"I'm playing as a midfielder at Bayern and right-back with the national team. Every two months, I have to get re-accustomed to the position. But my feelings as a right-back are getting better thanks to the time I spend with the national team," he said.

Kimmich has been one of Germany's standout performers in their Confederations Cup campaign in Russia.The world champions face Chile in the final of the competition in St Petersburg on Sunday.

 

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Bellerin to donate £19,000 to Grenfell Tower victims

Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin will donate over £19,000 to help victims of the horrific Grenfell Tower fire.

At least 80 people died in the fire in Kensington, though more fatalities are expected to be confirmed.

Bellerin pledged to donate £50 for every minute he played for the Spanish team at the European Under-21 Championships this summer, with La Roja reaching the final.

Bellerin won a silver medal as Spain lost 1-0 to Germany in the final, and the kind-hearted defender has now confirmed that he has raised £19,050 to donate to the British Red Cross, after playing 381 minutes.

The 22-year-old revealed the number on Twitter on Sunday morning, and has urged others to "please support in any way you can".

 

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Calhanoglu flying in for AC Milan medical

Hakan Calhanoglu is flying to Italy as he prepares to undergo a medical with AC Milan ahead of his move from Bayer Leverkusen.The attacking midfielder posted an image on Instagram stories showing him about to board his plane, along with the caption 'off to Milan'.

He is expected to undergo initial fitness tests on Sunday, before his full medical on Monday.Reports in Italy suggest Calhanoglou will cost Vincenzo Montella's side an initial €20 million, a deal that could rise in value to €24m.

"I am on my way to sign the contract in Milan," the 23-year-old said to Bild."I want to thank Bayer Leverkusen, the directors and the fans for three fantastic years."

Calhanoglu will become the sixth signing for Milan ahead of the new Serie A season, following Franck Kessie, Ricardo Rodriguez, Mateo Musacchio, Andre Silva and Fabio Borini in making the move to San Siro.

The Turkey international has not played since January due to a FIFA ban - upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport - relating to contract dispute with Trabzonspor, whom he is said to have agreed to join before pulling out in 2011.

Calhanoglu waived his wages for the duration of his four-month suspension and reportedly opted against an appeal in order to be available for a transfer in the off-season.

 

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Southampton confirm Jay Rodriguez transfer to West Brom

Gianluigi Donnarumma should stay with AC Milan and end the transfer saga unless he wants his poor performances at the European Under-21 Championship to continue, says Dino Zoff.

Italy legend Zoff was unimpressed by Donnarumma's international displays as the Azzurrini ultimately suffered defeat to Spain in the semi-finals.

The 18-year-old has been involved in a major off-season drama since rejecting an offer to extend his San Siro contract beyond 2018, the Serie A side claiming their proposal was worth €50million over five years.

Donnarumma, who deleted his Instagram account and claimed it was hacked during the Euros after a string of mixed messages on social media, is due to meet with Milan to hold discussions on his future now the tournament is over.

The goalkeeper had fake money thrown at him by angry supporters during Italy's match against Denmark at the Euros and Zoff feels his head was clearly elsewhere as he called on him to commit to Milan.

"That kid is not calm, you can see it a mile away," Zoff said to Corriere della Sera. "I think he has got himself involved in a bigger mess than he can handle, just look at what he did in the Euros. He was not good for the whole Euros.

"Unfortunately, I expected it, because after the storm that erupted around him in the media I would have been agitated when I was 40 years old, so imagine it for him.

"He should just be focused on playing, growing and improving. Massimiliano Allegri was right when he said kids need to be on the pitch as much as possible so they can learn from their mistakes. Like everyone, Donnarumma makes mistakes and he will make many more, especially if he doesn't resolve this story quickly.

"You could tell in Poland that his mind was elsewhere. You didn't need to be a goalkeeper to tell he lacked his usual quick reactions, but that was only natural in the circumstances.

"My advice is to stay at Milan. He can grow there on a human and a professional level. It is the right choice and the only thing he can do to get back on track in the maturation process."Real Madrid and Juventus have been among the clubs linked with a big-money move for Donnarumma.

Zoff said: "He would fit in well there or at any big team - but later, not now. He must understand he has his whole life ahead of him to play for Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juve or wherever he wants to play.

"He has the ability, the character and age on his side. He must realise he is 18 years old and that is his greatest asset, because being that age means you are in no rush for anything.

"At 25 or 30, you are sometimes forced into decisions because you are calculating the time left in your career, but he is a kid and he does not have to think about money. Donnarumma must have patience – if he does, everything will be fine.

"In football you are only what you give on the pitch day by day, not the autographs you sign, the salary you earn or the valuation your agent puts on your head."
On the teenager's reported price tag of over €100million, Zoff added: "Everything has taken on absurd dimensions. I wonder if this system will be sustainable for a long time? I have my doubts."

 

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Southampton confirm Jay Rodriguez transfer to West Brom

The 27-year-old becomes the Baggies's first signing of the summer having scored 26 goals in 104 appearances in five years at the SaintsSouthampton have confirmed Jay Rodriguez will sign for West Brom for an undisclosed fee believed to be up to £15 million.

The one-time England international, 27, will bolster a West Brom attacking line-up that struggled to score consistently last season having signed a four-year deal with the Baggies.

Former Burnley forward Rodriguez leaves St. Mary's Stadium having scored 26 goals in 104 appearances since his arrival on the south coast in 2012.His best Premier League return came in 2013-14, when he scored 15 goals, but injury has meant he has struggled to reproduce such form in recent years.

"Rodriguez departs after five years at St Mary’s, moving to the West Midlands to seek more regular first-team football," the club said in a statement on Sunday."The forward arrived at Saints from his hometown side of Burnley in 2012. He went on to make a total of 126 appearances and scoring 35 goals in his time with the club.

"Everyone at Southampton Football Club would like to thank Jay for his hard work, dedication and the significant contribution he made to our success over the past five years. He leaves with our very best wishes for the future."

Rodriguez becomes West Brom's first signing of the summer and will battle with the likes of Salomon Rondon and Hal Robson-Kanu for a place in the starting XI.

 

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Arsenal target Lacazette not in London, Lyon president claims

Jean-Michel Aulas has denied reports Arsenal target Alexandre Lacazette is in London to undergo a medical and indicated the Gunners have not met Lyon's asking price for the striker.According to French publication Le Progres, the 26-year-old centre-forward has arrived in England prior to finalising a switch to Emirates Stadium.

Writing on Twitter, the Lyon president described the story as "false" and claimed Arsenal's initial offer was below the Ligue 1 club's valuation of their star attacker.
Aulas has previously said the Premier League side must part with €65million to prise Lacazette away from Parc Olympique Lyonnais.

"False information from Le Progres about the eventual transfer of Alex L," he tweeted."He's not in London. The first offer was €45m!"A product of Lyon's academy, Lacazette has scored 100 goals in 203 league appearances for Les Gones.

 

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Chile 0 Germany 1: Stindl seals glory for Low's young hotshots

Germany's new generation confirmed their status as a future force to be reckoned with by beating a seasoned Chile 1-0 to win the Confederations Cup final in Russia on Sunday.

Lars Stindl's first-half goal following a costly error from Marcelo Diaz came against the run of play and proved decisive for the world champions at St Petersburg's Krestovsky Stadium, where Chile failed to force an equaliser during a tight second period.

A first triumph for Germany in the competition, which traditionally serves as a dress rehearsal for the subsequent year's World Cup, is a testament to Joachim Low's ingenuity in selecting a team of hungry youngsters with something to prove, and may leave many members of the established first team facing a tough battle to retain their place in the squad at 2018's main event.

The result will come as a disappointment to Copa America holders Chile, who should have had enough guile and experience to come away with the trophy against a young team who struggled to match them in a 1-1 group stage draw.

The attention of coach Juan Antonio Pizzi now turns to CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying, in which Chile are fourth, one point ahead of Argentina, as they seek to ensure they return to Russia on the big stage in 11 months' time.

A rampant Chile dominated the opening exchanges, with Antonio Rudiger required to deny Charles Aranguiz inside the area in the fifth minute and Marc-Andre ter Stegen keeping out Arturo Vidal's follow-up effort.

Eduardo Vargas and Mauricio Isla both had Ter Stegen and the Germany defence worried in the subsequent 15 minutes, while Alexis Sanchez narrowly failed to put away the rebound when the Barcelona goalkeeper could only parry a firm Vidal strike.

It was Germany, though, who broke the deadlock, benefiting from a Diaz mistake to open the scoring against the run of play in the 20th minute. Attempting to turn under pressure on the edge of his box, the Celta Vigo player inadvertently gifted possession to Timo Werner, who forced goalkeeper Claudio Bravo to commit before squaring the ball for Stindl to pass into an unguarded net.

To their credit, Chile were undeterred by going behind and immediately resumed pressing Germany in advanced areas and at a furious tempo, albeit without creating clear scoring opportunities.

They were nearly punished again on the counter when Julian Draxler and Sebastian Rudy combined to play in Leon Goretzka down the right side of the area, the Schalke midfielder firing across Bravo and wide of the far post as Chile's all-action approach repeatedly left them exposed at the back.

Another defensive mishap could have proved fatal when Gonzalo Jara played a pass straight to Draxler on the stroke of half-time, but Goretzka opted not to take a first-time shot with his left foot and Chile survived.

The frenetic pace of the opening half gave way to a cagey affair after the break, and it took until the 55th minute for a good chance to arrive, Isla's block preventing Draxler from getting a shot on target after the Paris Saint-Germain star drove powerfully into the area.

FIFA's new Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system, a contentious feature of the tournament due to its seemingly inconsistent application and the questionable decisions it has prompted, came under the spotlight again shortly after the hour mark. Jara's nasty elbow against the jaw of Werner, initially missed by match official Milorad Mazic, saw the Serbian somehow only produce a yellow card following a review of what appeared to be an incident warranting a straight red.

Having narrowly avoided going down to 10 men, Chile began to apply sustained pressure and missed a glorious chance to equalise in the 85th minute. Edson Puch snuck in to steal the ball from in front of Ter Stegen and cut it back to fellow substitute Anyelo Sagal, who blazed wildly over the bar.

Tempers flared in the 90th minute when Emre Can became embroiled in a confrontation with five Chile players after bowling over Sanchez, Bravo rushing from his goal to become involved, as did Low from the touchline.

Ter Stegen had to be alert five minutes into stoppage-time, parrying clear a 25-yard Sanchez free-kick to deny Chile from the game's last sight of goal and make sure of Die Mannschaft's unexpected triumph.

 

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Congratulations Germany!

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Draxler named Confederations Cup Player of the Tournament

Two of Germany's promising young stars were recognised for their part in an impressive Confederations Cup triumph, as Julian Draxler won the tournament's Golden Ball and Timo Werner collected the Golden Boot.

Head coach Joachim Low was criticised by many after picking an inexperienced squad for the competition in Russia, a decision some derided as disrespectful to the other teams involved.

Die Mannschaft proved to be a serious proposition indeed, though, defying their tender years to top Group B, brush aside Mexico 4-1 in the semi-finals and then secure a narrow 1-0 victory over Copa America holders Chile in the decider in St Petersburg on Sunday.

Draxler has reinvigorated his career by leaving Wolfsburg for Paris Saint-Germain in January and the 23-year-old attacking midfielder was named the player of the tournament after captaining his fellow youngsters to glory and pulling the strings in the final third.

Werner finished level on three goals apiece with team-mates Leon Goretzka and Lars Stindl, the latter the scorer of the only goal in the final at Krestovsky Stadium, but the RB Leipzig man claimed the Golden Boot outright thanks to his two assists.
Chile's Claudio Bravo failed to get his safe hands on the trophy and had to make do instead with the Golden Glove as goalkeeper of the tournament – a trio of penalty saves in the semi-final shoot-out victory over Portugal no doubt playing a key role.

In fact, it was Bravo's opposite number, Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, who was named Man of the Match in the final after the Barcelona goalkeeper pulled off a series of crucial saves.