It had brought together the two teams ranking highest in FIFA’s standings with Germany rated third, one place ahead of Chile.

When they had met in their group fixture that finished 1-1 it was Chile that had started well, taking an early lead with Germany gradually coming back into the game.

Roared on by a loud and passionate crowd, Chile again started brightly with Alexis Sanchez taking a shot from distance and then Mark-André Ter Stegen having to make a smart save after good work between Arturo Vidal and Charles Aranguiz.

Twice the South Americans had a chance to open up the German defence before, in the 13th minute a mistake by Leon Goretzka let in Eduardo Vargas but his shot was straight into the arms of Ter Stegen.

It took quarter of an hour before Germany could reply with an attempt of their own. Shkodran Mustafi was the only change that either side made from their semi-final line-ups and it was his header from Lars Stindl’s corner that went well wide of Claudio Bravo’s left upright.

Chile’s pressure should have led to them going ahead in the 20th minute. Sanchez’s effort could only be parried by Ter Stegen straight to Vidal who miscued his shot badly.

Seconds later it was Germany that took the lead. Marcelo Diaz lost control just outside the penalty box when put under pressure by Timo Werner who took the ball off Chile’s number 11 before squaring it back to Lars Stindl who had time to look over his shoulder before placing the ball into the empty net. It was Stindl’s third goal of the tournament and he joined his team mates Werner and Goretzka as leading scorer for the competition.

Vidal was involved in most of the positive moves that Chile were putting together but, in the 32nd minute, he should have done better. He took a shot from distance that went well wide when Sanchez had found useful space in the box and was pleading for the right delivery. Vidal showed his annoyance at his own lack of vision and was appearing to become frustrated.

Germany then had a series of chances within a few minutes with their pace on the break causing Chile all sorts of problems.

In the 36th minute Sebastian Rudy played a lovely ball through to Goretzka who took the shot in his stride that went just wide of the far post. Two minutes later and he became provider when Germany broke at pace again. This time Werner’s control wasn’t tight enough and Chile’s outnumbered defence was able to clear the danger.

Werner almost made amends minutes later when he fed Julian Draxler who’s shot from the edge of the penalty area was fired just wide of the near post.

The pair combined again in the last minute of the half and Werner should have been able to shoot past the advancing Bravo who made an excellent save to keep Die Mannschaft to only a one goal advantage at half-time.

Germany was showing the sort of form that had defeated Mexico 4-1 in the semi-final - fast, clinical forward play backed up by a resolute strong defence.

After a quiet start to the second half, Draxler almost gave his side the lead. He broke into the penalty area and his shot took a deflection on it’s way to passing just wide of Bravo’s far post.

Things became heated a few minutes later when Joshua Kimmich faced up to Bravo. Vidal was soon involved and both he and Kimmich were the first names in the Serbian referee’s notebook.

The spite that was now building up in the match reached a head shortly afterwards when Chile were lucky to remain with eleven men. Gonzalo Jara looked to intentionally elbow Werner in the face as the two chased a long clearance. After consulting with the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) Jara escaped with just a yellow card.

Chile had rarely threatened during the second period but Sanchez then sparked them into life. In the 72nd minute he caused some problems with a run in the penalty area but Germany had enough men behind the ball to block the shot. In quick succession it had two further chances. Vargas shot through a crowd of players but directly at Ter Stegen.

Barcelona’s goalkeeper then had to make two important and excellent saves. He managed to get his fingertips to a fierce shot by Vidal to send it over the bar. Chile argued that Sanchez had been fouled during the lead up to the attempt and Vargas was booked for arguing. In the end the referee made a quick check with the VAR to turn down the ongoing appeals that had led to the Chilean substitutes leaving their bench.

A few minutes later Ter Stegen had a good view of Aranguiz’s shot from distance and was able to turn the ball around the post at full stretch.

The pressure from La Roja should have led to an equaliser with six minutes to go. Mustafi darted in front of Ter Stegen taking the ball away from him before squaring it back to substitute Angelo Sagal who could have guided the ball into the empty goal but, instead, put his left foot shot over the crossbar.

Germany then put together a lovely move on the break involving several players that, in the end, they probably made over elaborate and Julian Brandt’s header went tamely into the hands of Bravo.

In the fifth minute of time added on Chile had their final chance. Sanchez’s free-kick from outside the penalty area was heading inside the post but Ter Stegen, once again, was good enough to get across and parry the ball away. The ‘keeper had done enough, especially in the second half, to secure the Player of the Match award.

Chile and their fans will go away disappointed. Although they had only been able to put together one win during the competition they had played some entertaining football throughout and their fans will be long remembered for their noise, vibrance and passion.

Germany had achieved what few, even their own supporters, had thought was possible when their coach Joachim Loew first named his inexperienced squad.

Twenty-four hours earlier Germany had beaten Spain 1-0 in Poland to win the UEFA Under-21 Championship. Many of the players in St Petersburg would normally have been playing for that team so Germany came away with two titles using teams that had stepped up a level. It clearly demonstrates the strength in depth of the World Cup holder’s football one year out from the next tournament.

This may well be the last Confederations Cup that FIFA will hold. This seems a shame as the tournament has been an excellent trial for at least four of the cities that will host the World Cup next year and for the Russian organizations involved. It also one that those cities and the visiting fans have embraced and bodes well for 2018.

Australia will note that both teams that reached the final were in their group. Although they didn’t play well against Germany they managed to score twice in the 3-2 defeat and outplayed Chile in a 1-1 draw.