This Russian Made Sure Germany Had 1 Extra Fan at the Confederations Cup
Jul 4, 2017
BR Video
It can be hard for fans to travel to away tournaments, but Visa and Copa90 made sure visiting teams at the Confederations Cup in Russia got some extra support.
As part of their "The Russian You" campaign, local boy Kirill decided to throw his support behind Germany, and it worked out perfectly, as he watched his adopted team lift the trophy.
Julian Draxler, Timo Werner Win Golden Ball, Boot at 2017 Confederations Cup
Jul 2, 2017
Germany's Julian Draxler holds the Golden Ball best player award after Germany won 1-0 in the Confederations Cup final soccer match between Chile and Germany, at the St.Petersburg Stadium, Russia, Sunday July 2, 2017. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Julian Draxler has been awarded the Golden Ball at the 2017 Confederations Cup as Germany beat Chile in the final on Sunday.
FIFA confirmed the player's success as Timo Werner earned the Golden Boot.
The Golden Glove award went to Claudio Bravo, per FIFA.
Germany secured the title with a 1-0 victory in Russia, fielding a team of youngsters and burgeoning talents.
Draxler was named player of the tournament as he captained his country to success.
Lars Stindl was the hero in the final, pouncing in the first half to score after Chile's defence collapsed.
A bad error from Marcelo Diaz opened the door for the Germans to secure the crown.
Werner collected the top scorer award after finishing level with Stindl and Leon Goretzka on three goals, but his higher assist count gave him the accolade.
Portugal Defeats Mexico for 3rd Place in 2017 Confederations Cup
Jul 2, 2017
From right, Portugal's Luis Neto, Mexico's Oribe Peralta, Mexico's Rafael Marquez and Portugal's Pepe go for the ball during the Confederations Cup, third place soccer match between Portugal and Mexico, at the Moscow Spartak Stadium, Sunday, July 2, 2017. (AP Photo/Denis Tyrin)
European champions Portugal didn't need Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo to win the third-place play-off match against Mexico at the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup, as Adrien Silva converted a penalty in extra time to give his side a 2-1 win.
Both teams ended the match with 10 players after Nelson Semedo and Raul Jimenez were given their marching orders. Chile and Germany will meet in the final of the tournament.
El Tri took the lead against the run of play in the 54th minute as the unfortunate Luis Neto scored an own goal.
Portugal had dominated until that point, but there was little Neto could do when Javier Hernandez's fast cross hit him in the legs and bounced in goal.
Jan Hagen of Sport Witness blamed goalkeeper Rui Patricio:
Golo. Rui Patrício unable to pick up a Chicharito cross which ends in a Luís Neto own goal. The goalkeeper should've done better.
Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa appeared to be on his way to a man-of-the-match award, saving a penalty from Andre Silva and making a series of key stops that preserved the lead. But in the 91st minute, veteran defender Pepe popped up inside the penalty box to turn home an inviting cross, sending the match into extra time.
Miguel Layun gave Portugal a golden opportunity to take the lead with a senseless handball inside his own penalty box in the 104th minute. Ochoa couldn't repeat his earlier heroics as Silva sent him the wrong way.
The match ended with plenty of controversy as both Semedo and Jimenez were sent off for a second bookable offence, and El Tri manager Juan Carlos Osorio was sent to the stands. The tactician was livid after Hector Moreno was seemingly pushed to the ground with no penalty given.
Germany vs. Chile: 2017 Confederations Cup Final Live Stream, Schedule, More
Jul 1, 2017
Germany's Amin Younes, right, celebrates with teammate Emre Can after scoring his side's fourth goal during the Confederations Cup, semifinal soccer match between Germany and Mexico, at the Fisht Stadium in Sochi, Russia, Thursday, June 29, 2017. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Germany and Chile will meet on Sunday in the final of the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup, pitting the reigning world champions against the winners of the last two Copa America tournaments.
The Chileans have traveled to Russia with a team that is close to full strength and includes the likes of Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez and Bayern Munich's Arturo Vidal.
Germany had one less day to prepare for the final, but Chile had to dig way deeper in their penalty-shootout win over Portugal. In all likelihood, the two teams should match up well in terms of fitness.
Germany's success at the Confederations Cup has been quite remarkable, especially when you consider the fact the team's attacking options were all heavily scrutinised ahead of the tournament. Timo Werner of RB Leipzig has been a revelation and may just be the side's long-term answer in the search for a traditional striker.
As shared by Squawka Football, the youngster has enjoyed a fine season:
He's not the only star for the future that has impressed. Fans of the sport have long known about Julian Brandt, but another midfielder has taken a major step forward of late: Hoffenheim's Kerem Demirbay.
And Die Mannschaft's best unit has arguably been the defence, where the likes of Benjamin Henrichs and Antonio Rudiger will push for a big role even when the team's top stars return to the fold.
Compared to the World Champions, Chile have kept things simple, fielding their top players on the way to the final. Vidal and Sanchez remain key cogs, while the likes of Charles Aranguiz and Eduardo Vargas have boosted their transfer value with solid showings.
Perhaps the biggest unexpected standout has been Claudio Bravo, who somehow bounced back from a woeful season with Manchester City to become the hero against Portugal, saving all three penalties he faced.
ESPN FC's Richard Jolly put that number in perspective:
The Chileans had to dig deep in that win, and even though Germany's best players didn't make the trip to Russia, Die Mannschaft still have the advantage in depth. In all likelihood, their success in international competition will continue.
Prediction: Germany 2-0 Chile
Doctors Watch Portugal vs. Chile Confederations Cup Shootout During Surgery
Jun 29, 2017
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DmESA6Zj3A
It appears those with office jobs aren't the only individuals who take breaks during a work day to watch a sporting event.
As Andrew Colley of the Mirror explained, a group of doctors and other medical personnel in Chile watched Wednesday's shootout between the country's national team and Portugal during the semifinal round of the Confederations Cup while in the middle of surgery.
Multiple individuals can be seen celebrating Chilean goalkeeper Claudio Bravo's stopping Joao Moutinho's penalty while the patient lay seemingly unconscious on an operating table.
Per Colley, those responsible for performing the surgery could find themselves in hot water following an investigation.
Chile won the shootout, 3-0, and will play Germany on Sunday.
Leon Goretzka Powers Germany to 2017 Confederations Cup Final in Win vs. Mexico
Jun 29, 2017
Germany's forward Timo Werner (L celebrate with Germany's midfielder Lars Stindl and Germany's midfielder Leon Goretzka after scoring during the 2017 Confederations Cup semi-final football match between Germany and Mexico at the Fisht Stadium in Sochi on June 29, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Yuri CORTEZ (Photo credit should read YURI CORTEZ/AFP/Getty Images)
Germany will meet Chile in Sunday's 2017 Confederations Cup final after Leon Goretzka's two-minute brace helped steer the world champions to a 4-1 win over Mexico on Thursday evening.
Goretzka's double after eight minutes and Timo Werner's 59th-minute goal soothed any tensions, but Mexico had by far the majority of the chances and finally scored through Marco Fabian's 89th-minute free-kick.
Substitute Amin Younes came off the bench to complete a clinical win for manager Joachim Low's side in injury time and proved the more accurate team deserved to advance to the final at Krestovsky Stadium in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
Chile defeated Portugal 3-0 in a penalty shootout on Wednesday following a 0-0 stalemate at the Kazan Arena, a performance that will hardly have boosted their confidence ahead of a meeting with the world champions in the final.
Striker Werner may be the speed demon among Germany's ranks, but it was Goretzka who moved quickest to divert an innocuous-looking pass inside Mexico's far left post from outside the box after six minutes.
It was, however, no new territory for Mexico, as explained by ESPN FC's Tom Marshall, with manager Juan Carlos Osorio's side having formed a habit of staging comebacks of late:
Goool Germany. Goretzka with a top finish. Mexico down for the fifth consecutive match. #eltrieng
But their hopes of crafting another were rolled back even further when Werner's through ball led to Goretzka beating a staggered Mexico offside trap to slip across a second in two minutes, inside the same far left post.
As well as thrusting his side into a commanding position early in the stages of their semi, it clinched him a glossy record for Germany, in just his eighth senior appearance, per OptaFranz:
The Dos Santos brothers, Giovani and Jonathan, forced a couple of good saves out of Marc-Andre ter Stegen on the half-hour mark, but El Tri were consistently repelled in their efforts to break down their opponents.
They eventually grew in strength and actually finished the first half as the more oppressive of the two teams as they threw assets forward in a bid to get off the mark before the interval.
But it wasn't enough to penetrate Germany's barrier as a back three of Joshua Kimmich, Antonio Rudiger and Matthias Ginter stood firm against a familiar face in Bayer Leverkusen striker Javier Hernandez.
But Low's half-time words of encouragement swiftly steered Germany back into the ascendancy after the restart, and after missing several close efforts, Werner tapped in Jonas Hector's unselfish pass to continue a prolific year:
The RB Leipzig attacker's goal set Germany's mind at ease in the knowledge they could now afford to sit back, although Osorio's men continued to knock away at Ter Stegen's door.
Goretzka went off to a hero's ovation in the 67th minute, with his side leading by three goals and his spirits through the roof heading into a major international final as likely favourites.
Ter Stegen continued to demonstrate his importance to the cause with saves from MiguelLayun and Rafael Marquez, proving to be the difference between Germany's clean sheet and a glimmer of a comeback emerging.
Not even the Barcelona stopper could prevent RaulJimenez from looping his header onto the crossbar following a piece of HirvingLozano string-pulling, though that was as close as El Tri remained in their quest for a goal.
Werner's strike stunted Mexico, but the scoreline somewhat flattered Germany, who welcomed more than 20 shots from El Tri, and ESPN's James Tyler told of how the stats told a different tale:
It's crazy that Germany is utterly thrashing Mexico but it could so easily be 3-3
— James Tyler (still) (@JamesTylerESPN) June 29, 2017
And their persistence finally bore fruit in the 89th minute, when Hector Herrera laid Fabian off for a rocketed finish from outside the area from a free-kick, igniting a fire in Mexico that we all somehow always knew would be coming.
But Ajax winger Younes—10 minutes after coming on for his fourth Germany cap since making his debut 23 days ago—punished El Tri again after they left too much side inside the left side of their box.
Germany's unbeaten run through the Confederations Cup will come to a crescendo against Chile on Sunday, where they'll be looking to win a maiden title in the competition.
Die Mannschaft have already bettered their all-time best third-place finish in the tournament, but crowning this year's run by taking top spot on the podium would pose as a great signal ahead of next year's World Cup.
Cristiano Ronaldo Announces Birth of Twins After Confederations Cup Loss
Jun 28, 2017
KAZAN, RUSSIA - JUNE 28: Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal looks on during the FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017 Semi-Final match between Portugal and Chile at Kazan Arena on June 28, 2017 in Kazan, Russia. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
While Portugal crashed out of the 2017 Confederations Cup at the hands of Chile on Wednesday, Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo had reason to be happy after he announced the birth of his twins.
Ronaldo made the announcement on his official Facebook page, with the Daily Mail's Rory O'Callaghan providing a translation:
"I am very happy to finally be able to be with my children for the first time."
Per O'Callaghan, Ronaldo has been released from the national team to be with his children, and as a result, he'll miss Portugal's third-place play-off on Sunday, which will be against either Germany or Mexico.
Portuguese television network SIC (via The Independent) first reported June 10 that Ronaldo had become the father of twins via a surrogate.
Ronaldo's oldest son, Cristiano Jr., was born in 2010. Ronaldo could be set to become a father once again in the coming months, as his partner Georgina Rodriguez is "rumoured to be five months pregnant," according to O'Callaghan.
In May, the 32-year-old posted a photo to Instagram of him holding Rodriguez's stomach, prompting speculation she is expecting:
The birth of his twins continues what has been a busy past 12 months for the Portugal international.
This time last year, Ronaldo was in the process of helping his national team win Euro 2016, and in December, he earned his fourth Ballon d'Or. Earlier in the month, he scored twice to propel Real Madrid to their 12th European Cup, completing a domestic and continental double.
Germany vs. Mexico: 2017 Confederations Cup Live Stream, Schedule and Prediction
Jun 28, 2017
Germany's players celebrate a goal during the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup group B football match between Germany and Cameroon at the Fisht Stadium Stadium in Sochi on June 25, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Patrik STOLLARZ (Photo credit should read PATRIK STOLLARZ/AFP/Getty Images)
Germany will have to fight their way past Mexico in the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup semi-finals on Thursday if they're to have their chance at meeting either Portugal or Chile in this year's championship fixture.
A tantalising clash awaits in the last four after Germany topped Group B to progress following a 3-1 comeback win over Cameroon, while Mexico secured second spot in Group A with two wins from three.
Mexico manager Juan Carlos Osorio will know his men enter their clash with the world champions as likely underdogs, but back-to-back victories against New Zealand and hosts Russia will have greatly boosted their morale.
Both teams remain undefeated in the competition and will be hoping to retain their 100 per cent records heading into the final, but only one nation will be able to do so on Thursday as the tournament reaches its final phase.
Read on for a preview of the midweek clash at Fisht Olympic Stadium in Sochi, Russia, complete with live-stream information and a prediction of who will advance to Sunday's final.
Assessing this game on pedigree alone paints Germany as the big favourites, with the World Cup holders having only been matched thus far in the competition by Chile, against whom they drew 1-1 last week.
But Die Mannschaft made up for that disappointment with a commanding 3-1 victory over Cameroon to decide their place as Group B winners thanks to a brace from man-of-the-match winner Timo Werner. UEFA Euro illustrated his recent prolific form for his country:
The RB Leipzig striker was an integral part of his club's second-place finish in the Bundesliga last term and has translated that form to the international stage. But he is just one weapon El Tri must cage if they're to progress.
Mexico have a couple of key absences to account for in preparation for Thursday's semi-final encounter, as explained by ESPN FC's Tom Marshall:
Osorio will be thinking about how to replace suspended Guardado for Germany clash. Diego Reyes also likely out. Time for Rafa? #eltrienghttps://t.co/SI0yMqwqW8
But while Germany may be a bigger brand, their Confederations Cup squad has been an experimental one for manager Joachim Low, considering only nine of his 23 players boast national-team caps in double figures.
It was six years ago that Mexico sprang a surprise 3-2 win over their German counterparts in the semi-final of the 2011 Under-17 World Cup, although Vice's Jorge Arangure noted few players remain for this match:
Despite his effort to induct new faces into the senior national team, Low has nevertheless led Germany on an impressive unbeaten streak, having last tasted defeat 13 matches ago (July 2016).
Mexico have hardly been slouches themselves, though, and while their six-match undefeated run may not be as intimidating, the fact that's just one of the two defeats they've suffered in the past two years speaks volumes.
Osorio has marshalled his team into a disciplined and tough-to-break-down machine since he was appointed in 2015, and the El Tri chief isn't without his own selection of game-changers, as has been clear in their play.
One of those is recent PSV Eindhoven recruit Hirving Lozano, who recently moved from Liga MX club Pachuca, and he dazzled against Russia, per ESPN FC:
He showed a lot of heart to nab the winner against the hosts, and he possesses the kind of elite pace that can trouble even the stern defence of Germany, bringing a valuable sense of unpredictability to the Mexican attack.
Both teams will have chances to score goals considering clean sheets have been at a premium so far—neither team has managed to keep one in the tournament—but Germany's stars should have the composure to pull through in the end.
Prediction: Germany 3-2 Mexico
Arturo Vidal Calls Cristiano Ronaldo a 'Smart Ass' Ahead of Portugal vs. Chile
Jun 27, 2017
MUNICH, GERMANY - APRIL 12: David Alaba of Munich , Arturo Vidal of Munich and Philipp Lahm of Munich and Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid battle for the ball during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final first leg match between FC Bayern Muenchen and Real Madrid CF at Allianz Arena on April 12, 2017 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)
Chile midfielder Arturo Vidal has branded Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo a "smart ass" ahead of their meeting in the semi-final of the Confederations Cup on Wednesday.
Having progressed through the group stage of the tournament in Russia, the South American and European champions will go head-to-head in what should be an absorbing game. And it's a match that is likely to contain some needle now too, with Vidal offering a candid assessment of Ronaldo.
"Cristiano is a smart ass," he said to reporters in Russia, per Luke Augustus of MailOnline. "For me he does not exist. I have already told my Bayern Munich team-mate [and Germany international] Joshua Kimmich that we will meet again in the final!"
The pair don't appear to have any past history, although the Real Madrid striker did bring an end to Bayern Munich's UEFA Champions League chances earlier this term.
In the first leg of a memorable quarter-final tie, Vidal put Bayern ahead before a Ronaldo brace gave Real Madrid a crucial 2-1 away win.
MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 18: Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final second leg match between Real Madrid CF and FC Bayern Muenchen at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on April 18, 2017 in Madr
Both men were involved in the second leg too, as Los Blancos eventually emerged as 4-2 winners after extra time on the night, with Ronaldo scoring a hat-trick; Vidal was controversially given his marching orders in the game.
It is difficult to call who will come out on top in what should be a brilliant semi-final. As noted by Squawka Football, both men have a tremendous record on the international stage:
Cristiano Ronaldo has now scored 60 competitive international goals; more than any other European player in history.
At the tournament so far, Chile have played out draws against Germany and Australia either side of a comprehensive 2-0 win over Cameroon, a game in which Vidal bagged the opener.
Portugal drew their first game 2-2 against Mexico, although wins over Russia and New Zealand saw them top Group A. Ronaldo has netted in both of their victories so far.
Germany will meet Chile in Sunday's 2017 
