In a repeat of the 1-1 draw in the group match, Chile applied pressure in the opening stages in the final in Saint Petersburg and succeeded in putting the Germany defence on the spot time after time. One of the most impressive players for La Roja during this stage of the game was Charles Aránguiz. The Werkself pro twice got himself in a good position up front but he was unable to take his chances.
The team coached by Joachim Löw then took the lead out of the blue. Timo Werner exploited a big mistake by Marcelo Diaz, squared the ball to Lars Stindl who had a simple tap in on 20 minutes. Germany were now in the game and they had three good chances to extend the lead in the last ten minutes of the first half through Leon Goretzka (36'/44') and Julian Draxler (40').
The match heated up in the second half. The game was interspersed with numerous niggles. Draxler had the first clear chance after a great solo run. Chile were failing to impress at this point. It was only in the closing stages that La Roja increased the pressure on the German goal. Vargas, Aránguiz and substitute Sagal all had decent chances. However, Germany were able to maintain their narrow lead with a mixture of determination and fortune. "I'm mega proud of this young group," said Löw after winning the title.
The Leipzig player Werner won the tournament golden boots with three goals and two assists. Draxler was named the best player In the Confed Cup 2017.
Following the U21s winning the European Championships, Germany lifting the Confed Cup as the second big success for the DFB within three days.
Chicha fourth with Mexico
Chicharito was in the starting line-up for his 96th international appearance for Mexico in the match for third place at the Confederations Cup. The match against the reigning European Champions Portugal quickly developed into an interesting clash with lots of chances on both sides. Chicharito was often sort out by his team-mates and also found.
The Werkself striker had an impressive game, covering a lot of ground, getting stuck into challenges and forcing Portugal's keeper Patricio to make a brilliant save on the half-hour mark with a shot on the turn. Before that, Portugal's André Silva had a better chance to score when he missed a penalty. After a goalless first half it was Chicha who brought about the lead for Mexico on 54 minutes. His sharp cross was turned into his own net by Portugal's Neto. Chicharito was substituted on 85 minutes Andy had to look on from the bench when Pepe equalised for Portugal in added time.
The match went into extra time and the decider came from the penalty spot just before the change of ends. Adrien Silva kept his cool on 104 minutes as he scored the winning goal to make it 2-1 for the European Champions.
Midfielder Ruby Grant is leaving Bayer 04 Leverkusen and joining Portuguese runners-up Sporting CP a year before her contract expires. The 24-year-old has been at the Werkself since January 2025.
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Bayer 04 have loaned Brazilian full-back Arthur to Bundesliga side Werder Bremen for one year. Arthur Augusto de Matos Soares – the full name of the right-back – has a contract with Leverkusen until 30 June 2031. At Werder, the 23-year-old is expected to make an impact and help the long-established club further consolidate their position in the Bundesliga.
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Bayer 04 have loaned defender Jeanuel Belocian to Spanish top-flight side Racing Santander. The 21-year-old defender joins the team currently ninth in La Liga until the end of the current 2026/27 season. Belocian’s contract remains valid until 30 June 2029. Last season, the 1.86-metre-tall U21 international was loaned to VfL Wolfsburg for six months.
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He knows the dressing room, the pitch and the club. But, above all, he knows the feeling of playing for the Werkself at the BayArena: Moussa Diaby is back in Leverkusen after three years. The lightning-fast winger has signed a contract with Bayer 04 until 2031 and he will once again wear the number 19 jersey. The left-footed player previously played for the club from 2019 to 2023, having arrived in the Rhineland from his native France as a promising young talent and eventually leaving the club – having established himself as one of the Bundesliga’s best attackers – to join Aston Villa in the Premier League. Now he has returned to Bayer 04 from Al-Ittihad FC in Saudi Arabia.
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