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GORET JOB

Germany 4 Mexico 1: Arsenal target Leon Goretzka scores twice to set up Confederations Cup final clash with Chile

The Schalke midfielder scored two brilliant goals in the first half, before RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner and Amin Younes netted either side of a Marco Fabian wonder strike in the second half in Sochi

GERMANY set up a Confederations Cup final clash against Chile after they cruised to a 4-1 win against Mexico in Sochi.

Arsenal target Leon Goretzka scored a brilliant first half brace, before Timo Werner and Amin Younes struck either side of a Marco Fabian wonder goal in the second half of a lively encounter in Russia.

 Leon Goretzka opened the scoring early on with a glorious finish from outside the box
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Leon Goretzka opened the scoring early on with a glorious finish from outside the boxCredit: Reuters
 The Arsenal striker celebrates his exquisite finish that sent Germany 1-0 in the sixth minute
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The Arsenal striker celebrates his exquisite finish that sent Germany 1-0 in the sixth minuteCredit: Getty Images

It took the 2014 World Cup champions just six minutes to break the deadlock, with Goretzka curling in an exquisite finish from outside the box.

In a devastating counter attack, Benjamin Henrichs played in the Schalke central midfielder who swept the ball home into the bottom left corner with a deft first-time shot.

Just one minute and 45 seconds later, the 22-year-old doubled their lead in an almost carbon-copy finish after being played in by RB Leipzig star Timo Werner.

Running in behind the last defender, Goretzka coolly found the bottom left corner past the onrushing Guillermo Ochoa.

Werner then spurned a chance to make in 3-0 inside the opening 19 minutes, as he this time raced onto a delightful Goretzka pass, but was foiled by the Malaga goalkeeper's feet.

Mexico then almost halved the deficit in the 34th minute when former Tottenham man Giovani dos Santos saw his right footed attempt well saved by Marc-Andre ter Stegen from a tight angle.

 Leon Goretzka was the star of the first half with two fantastic goals in Sochi against Mexico
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Leon Goretzka was the star of the first half with two fantastic goals in Sochi against MexicoCredit: Getty Images
 It was 2-0 just two minutes later when the Schalke midfielder scored with another first-time finish low into the bottom left corner
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It was 2-0 just two minutes later when the Schalke midfielder scored with another first-time finish low into the bottom left cornerCredit: EPA
 Marc-Andre ter Stegen made a crucial save to deny Giovani dos Santos in the first half
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Marc-Andre ter Stegen made a crucial save to deny Giovani dos Santos in the first halfCredit: Getty Images

Just two minutes later it should have been 2-1, when Raul Jimenez sent Javier Hernandez through on goal, but the Bayer Leverkusen striker sent his lob inches over the bar.

They were made to rue their missed opportunities when Werner put Joachim Low's side three goals to the good after he tapped home into an empty net in the 59th minute.

Julian Draxler sent Jonas Hector free down the left flank with a glorious through ball, with the left-back then squaring the ball to the 21-year-old who couldn't miss from six-yards out.

Juan Carlos Osorio's men yet again forced the Barcelona shot-stopper into action, this time preventing Miguel Layun's fierce drive in the 70th minute from creeping in at the near post.

 The 21-year-old was a lively figure in the second half and almost scored with this attempt before he got on the score sheet
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The 21-year-old was a lively figure in the second half and almost scored with this attempt before he got on the score sheetCredit: Getty Images
 Timo Werner tapped home into an empty net in the second half to put Germany 3-0 up against Mexico
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Timo Werner tapped home into an empty net in the second half to put Germany 3-0 up against MexicoCredit: AP:Associated Press
 The RB Leipzig striker celebrates with his team-mates after he finished off a beautiful move for the 2014 World Cup winners
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The RB Leipzig striker celebrates with his team-mates after he finished off a beautiful move for the 2014 World Cup winnersCredit: Reuters

They got even closer to grabbing a consolation goal in the 75th minute when Jimenez's looping header struck the crossbar with ter Stegen beaten all ends up.

They did eventually manage to get on the score sheet when Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Marco Fabian scored one of the goals of the tournament in the 89th minute with a 35-yard thunderbolt into the top right corner.

But any chances of a miraculous comeback were quashed when Amin Younes netted in the 91st minute after he rolled in his effort from a tight angle into the back of the net.

Germany will now face the Copa America champions on Sunday evening, in a rematch of their match-up in the group stages where they played out a 1-1 draw.

 Mexico midfielder Marco Fabian scored with an emphatic strike from 35 yards out
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Mexico midfielder Marco Fabian scored with an emphatic strike from 35 yards outCredit: Reuters
 Ajax winner Amin Younes scored the final goal of the match in the closing stages of the match
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Ajax winner Amin Younes scored the final goal of the match in the closing stages of the matchCredit: Reuters
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