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.