Germany vs. Australia: Final score 3-2 in excellent match at Confederations Cup

Germany has three points in the bag to start Confederations Cup, but they were seriously made to work for it. Australia presented serious opposition, putting their opponents under pressure constantly, as the Germans barely held on to a 3-2 win.

Early on, it looked like the Germans would be able to roll to a comfortably victory. They took the lead just five minutes in, with Julian Brandt setting up Lars Stindl’s goal from 12 yards with an excellent cutback. Even though Germany couldn’t put a second on the board for a while, they were well in control, and simply lacking a finishing touch in front of goal.

But Australia never stopped working to get the ball, and their pressure paid off in the 41st minute. After a giveaway by Julian Draxler, Tom Rogic surged forward and produced an equalizer for Australia. His first effort from the edge of the box was blocked, but he placed a follow-up shot under the arms of Germany goalkeeper Bernd Leno to tie the match at 1-1.

Unfortunately for Socceroos supporters, their team gave away that lead quickly. Just two minutes later, Massimo Luongo chopped down Leon Goretzka in the 18-yard box, and Draxler converted the resulting penalty.

Germany once again looked like they were going to run away with the game just after halftime, scoring their third in the 48th minute. Joshua Kimmich set up the goal, finding Goretzka in space with a through ball, and Goretzka lofted the ball into the top corner, over Mat Ryan.

Australia didn’t give up, though, and scored a second goal to get back into the game. In the 56th minute, Tomi Juric converted at the end of a mad scramble. After Tom Rogic had a shot blocked, Juric had his follow-up saved by Leno. But the German keeper couldn’t hold onto the ball, and Juric pounced on the rebound. The Video Assistant Referee took a look at the play for a possible handball by Juric, but deemed the contact incidental, and the goal stood.

That prompted Jogi Löw to make some changes to the Germany side. Nicklas Süle came on for Brandt in a defensive change, moving Kimmich up to midfield, while Timo Werner replaced Sandro Wagner for some fresh legs.

Those moves paid off — Kimmich was effective midfield and Werner hit the post in the 75th minute — but the Germans still barely held onto the win. Australia managed to put Die Mannschaft’s back line under serious pressure over the last 10 minutes, but Leno’s hands got a bit better, and he caught everything the Aussies sent his way.