Watch: Goretzka, Werner lead Germany's blitz of Mexico in Confed Cup semifinal
Germany left no doubt as to whether its younger, up-and-coming generation had what it takes to reach the final of an international competition.
Leon Goretzka scored twice in the opening eight minutes, and Timo Werner tacked one on in the second half, as Germany rolled to a 4-1 win over Mexico in the Confederations Cup semifinals, setting up a date Sunday vs. Chile in the final.
Marco Fabian gave Mexico its lone bright spot with a thunderbolt from 35 yards in the dying minutes, but it was followed almost immediately by Amin Younes, who capped the victory.
Mexico was vying for a second Confederations Cup title and first since 1999, and had already had to battle back in each of its three games in Russia thus far, earning a draw against Portugal and consecutive 2-1 wins over New Zealand and Russia. That theme continued Thursday.
Goretzka scored twice, capitalizing on a pair of shambolic sequences for El Tri's defense. The pair of goals vaulted Goretzka to the top of the Golden Boot standings with three total, leaping over teammates Timo Werner and Lars Stindl, who both scored twice in the group stage.
Werner nearly made it 3-0, getting in behind the defense and having a go at Guillermo Ochoa from close range, with the Mexico goalkeeper refusing to rush off his line, instead holding his ground and coming up with the save.
Mexico's best chance came in the 33rd minute, when Chicharito and Giovani Dos Santos combined in the final third for a golden opportunity. Chicharito's deft touch played Dos Santos into the box, but his first touch took him outside and away from the goal, creating a tougher shot and one that Marc-Andre ter Stegen was able to save with his foot. Jonathan Dos Santos had a chance on the second attack, but he opted for a diving, bouncing header from the edge of the box, and ter Stegen recovered in time to make the save.
Three minutes later, Chicharito had a chance of his own off Giovani Dos Santos's set-up, but he lobbed his flick attempt from close range just over the crossbar.
Mexico continued to pressure, earning a free kick in a dangerous position in the 40th minute. Hector Herrera came close on the 25-yard attempt from straightaway, with Ter Stegen tipping it over the bar even though it appeared to be going over on its own.
Werner had a great chance to add to Germany's lead early in the second half, getting in behind the defense and having a clear look at Ochoa. He absorbed a bump from behind by Hector Moreno, though, which altered his momentum enough to force a wayward attempt but didn't warrant a penalty call.
Werner did make it 3-0 soon after, though. In the 58th minute, Germany completed a patient build-up in the final third, with Julian Draxler playing it wide left for Jonas Hector, who then crossed to an unmarked Werner for the simple finish and his third goal of the competition.
Miguel Layun had an opportunity to pull one back for Mexico in the 70th minute, with a ball sprayed wide right for the open wingback, but his blast was saved by a diving Ter Stegen and put out for a corner.
Mexico continued to pressure through Raul Jimenez, whose darting header beat Ter Stegen but clattered off the crossbar to safety in the 76th minute.
Mexico's bright moment came in the 89th minute, when Hector Herrera tapped a free kick opportunity wide for Fabian, who unleashed a rocket into the upper right-hand corner of the next.
Younes responded almost immediately, though, restoring the three-goal advantage.
Both Germany and Chile are vying for a first Confederations Cup title, with the winner bringing an end to Brazil's lengthy reign over the competition. The Seleção won the last three editions. Germany's best finish came in 2005, when it took third–beating Mexico 4-3 in extra time in the third-place match.
