FIFA Confederations Cup: Germany and Chile into semi-finals

World champions Germany beat Cameroon 3-1 to make the semi-finals of the FIFA Confederations Cup. Meanwhile, Copa America champions Chile also advanced to the knockouts after a 1-1 draw against Australia.

Germany eased into the Confederations Cup semi-finals with a 3-1 win over Cameroon on Sunday as the VAR system was again thrust into the spotlight when the on-field official needed two reviews of an incident to reach the right verdict.

Germany celebrate a goal during the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup match against Cameroon.(AFP)

Colombian Wilmar Roldan consulted the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) after a reckless high challenge by Ernest Mabouka on Germany’s Emre Can saw Cameroon captain Sebastien Siani wrongfully receive a yellow card in a case of mistaken identity.

But even then Roldan did not come up with the right outcome as he simply switched the colour of Siani’s card to red. It was only after Cameroon’s players insisted he review the incident again that he realised his error, rescinded Siani’s sending-off and instead flashed the red card to the correct culprit Mabouka.

READ | Chile vs Australia, FIFA Confederations Cup 2017, highlights: CHI 1-1 AUS

Germany deservedly topped Group B to set up a last four meeting with Mexico at the same venue on Thursday after the first international goals for Kerem Demirbay and Timo Werner, who got two. Vincent Aboubakar scored Cameroon’s consolation.

Meanwhile, Chile also reached the Confederations Cup semi-finals on Sunday with a 1-1 draw against Australia, who muscled the South Americans out of their stride but exited the tournament after wasting their chances.

Chile capitalised on a defensive mistake to equalise through substitute Martin Rodriguez in the 67th minute of the Group B game after Australia took the lead with a James Troisi goal in the 42nd.

Australia, needing a two-goal win to qualify, squandered an opportunity to go two ahead before halftime when Trent Sainsbury volleyed wildly over with the goal at his mercy.

READ | Germany vs Cameroon, FIFA Confederations Cup 2017, highlights: GER 3-1 CAM

The Australians, with forward Tim Cahill making his 100th appearance, missed further chances in the second half.

Chile, who face European champions Portugal in the last four on Wednesday in Kazan, came second in the group with five points, two behind Germany and three ahead of Australia in third.