Chile substitute Martin Rodriguez netted his first international goal to rescue a 1-1 draw with Australia on Sunday night, a result that sees Chile into the last four against Portugal. Elsewhere, in Group B reigning World Cup champions, Germany secured a Confederations Cup semis spot as they beat African champions Cameroon 3-1 to win the group. Here's a quick summary of last Sunday's Group B final matches.
Chile 1, Australia 1
The Chileans came into the encounter sitting top of Group B, a position that would've seen them take on Mexico, but instead they'll face Portugal in the semis.
Chile started well early in the first half as Juventus' Arturo Vidal collected José Fuenzalida's long range cross and forced Australia goalie Mathew Ryan to parry away his shot, with Eduardo Vargas apparently not able to convert the rebound.
Afterwards, Australia made their first attempt in front of goal when Massimo Luongo forced a fine close range save from Chile goalkeeper Claudio Bravo. After forty-five minutes of play, the Socceroos of Australia then took the lead thanks to a James Troisi cool finish from six yards to put Australia ahead.
With twenty three minutes remaining, Chile tied up the score in scrappy fashion. It was substitute Martin Rodriguez who forced his effort past Australia goalie Mathew Ryan to put Chile back in contention.
Minutes before stoppage time the Chileans squandered a golden chance to complete the turnaround when Arsenal striker Alexis Sanchez apparently outran defender Mark Milligan down the left flank and cut-back for Eduardo Vargas, whose header “drifted” over the woodwork and the both sides eventually settled for a stalemate.
Germany 3, Cameroon 1
Kerem Demirbay marked his full international debut with a fantastic goal and Timo Werner scored twice as Germany sealed their place in the last four against a 10 men Indomitable Lions on Sunday. Following a “tepid” first-half the Germans opened the scoring through Kerem Demirbay, who completed a brilliant one-two pass with Julian Draxler and fired home the lead.
Afterwards, Germany continued to press on, with Werner spurning fine chances to double the scoreline while Cameroon goalie Fabrice Ondoa saved well from Kimmich. However, the African champions apparently fashion out a good chance, as forward Vincent Aboubakar pulled his effort over the crossbar.
Later in the 64th minute, matters worsened for Cameroon when they went down to 10-man. Cameroon midfielder Ernest Mabouka raised his foot in a challenge on Emre Can and was issued a straight red card by Referee Wilmar Roldan with the assistance of the VAR (Video Assistance Referee).
Wilmar Roldan had to check twice on the video screen before dismissing Ernest Mabouka. Afterwards, Germany apparently took advantage of Cameroon's deficit and doubled the lead in the sixty-sixth minute when Timo Werner headed home off a Joshua Kimmich's cross.
Nineteen minutes remaining, the Indomitable Lions pulled a goal back when striker Vincent Aboubakar headed home past Germany keeper Ter Stegen before Benjamin Henrichs then provided Joshua Werner for his second and sealed the victory for Germany.
Timo Werner became the first German ever to score more than one goal in a Confederation Cup match.
