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Germany won third place in the Confederations Cup, after winning a thrilling match against Mexico with a score of 4-3 in extra time.
Germany 4 - 3 Mexico (original time 3-3, extra time 4-3) 37' [1 - 0] Lukas Podolski 40' [1 - 1] Francisco Fonseca 41' [2 - 1] Bastian Schweinsteiger 58' [2 - 2] Jared Borgetti 79' [3 - 2] Robert Huth 85' [3 - 3] Jared Borgetti 97' [4 - 3] Michael Ballack
Mike Hanke (Germany) was sent off in the 54th minute.
The Mexicans started the match more actively, but F. Fonseca's shot went wide, and J. Borgetti's attempt was saved by the German goalkeeper O. Kahn. The hosts had trouble attacking, and they created their first opportunity only in the second half when after a pass from B. Schweinsteiger, L. Podolski shot the ball wide of the goal.
After an hour of play, the pace of the game picked up, and in the 37th minute Germany took the lead - a pass from S. Deisler to Schweinsteiger, who beautifully laid the ball for Podolski, who stopped the ball and with a great left-footed shot from the penalty box sent it to the top corner of the goal.
Mexico tried not to give up to their opponents and equalized after three minutes - with T. Frings making a mistake in his own half, Zinha rushed towards the goal, passed the ball to Fonseca, who scored accurately, not leaving much hope for O. Kahn.
The tie lasted only a minute, as shortly after the young German talents created another goal - after a pass from L. Podolski, A. Hinkel found himself in the penalty box, cleared the ball for Schweinsteiger, who had no trouble scoring into the empty net and putting his team ahead for the second time.
Eight minutes into the second half, the German team suffered a blow - M. Hanke received a red card for a rough foul. Mexico took advantage of the numerical superiority and, after four minutes, received a cross from L. Perez, Borgetti equalized with a header.
Later both teams exchanged dangerous attacks, and with ten Germans remaining, they not only managed to defend but also scored a goal, as after a corner kick, R. Huth sent the ball into the net. This German advantage, like the previous ones, did not last long - with five minutes remaining until the end of the match, Borgetti once again equalized with a header.
Since there was no winner in the main time, extra time was played. In the 97th minute, Germany earned a penalty kick about 20 meters from the goal, and the team captain M. Ballack, with a beautiful shot, scored the fourth goal for his team.
In the remaining part of the extra time, the Germans failed to capitalize on opportunities from K. Koraniy and F. Ernst, while in the 118th minute, Perezo's shot missed the mark completely. Germany maintained their lead and celebrated the victory and the third place earned in the tournament.
