KAREM DEMIRBAY MARKED his full international debut with a brilliant goal and Timo Werner hit a brace as Germany booked their place in the Confederations Cup semi-finals with a 3-1 win against 10-man Cameroon, but the game was marred by more Video Assistant Replay (VAR) confusion.

Chile’s 1-1 draw against Australia means Germany top Group B and the world champions will now face Mexico in Sochi in the semis on Thursday, avoiding Euro 2016 winners Portugal.

Following a tepid first half Germany opened the scoring with a moment of magic shortly after the interval, Demirbay completing a finely crafted one-two with Julian Draxler by blasting home.

After a VAR review saw Ernest Mabouka eventually sent off for a high tackle on Emre Can after Sebastien Siani was initially mistakenly dismissed, Germany quickly extended their lead through Werner’s first international goal.

Joshua Kimmich’s right-wing cross bounced before it reached the RB Leipzig striker, but Werner dived to divert a header neatly beyond Cameroon goalkeeper Fabrice Ondoa.

Cameroon's Vincent Aboubakar made it 2-1 with this header. Sergei Grits Sergei Grits

Vincent Aboubakar halved the deficit but Werner soon slotted in his second of the game and victory means Germany coach Joachim Low has now won 100 of his 150 matches in charge, with his team unbeaten in their last 13 outings.

Germany broke the deadlock just two minutes after the interval, though, with a fine team goal.

Demirbay fed Draxler, the Germany skipper returning the pass with a backheel through the legs of Siani to send Demirbay into space, with the Hoffenheim man hammering a superb strike into the top-right corner.

Cameroon’s hopes of a comeback were effectively extinguished when Mabouka was eventually dismissed for a dangerous challenge on Can, referee Wilmar Roldan first booking Siani and then producing a red card for the midfielder before reviewing the footage a second time on the protests of Cameroon players.

After more farcical scenes involving the new technology, Roldan eventually got the decision right and sent off Mabouka, with Cameroon still reeling from the chaos when Germany scored again moments after the resumption.

Sergei Grits Sergei Grits

Werner stooped to send a diving header past Ondoa from Kimmich’s bouncing centre but the world champions were pegged back after Ngamaleu’s cross was headed through the hands of Germany goalkeeper Ter Stegen by Aboubakar with 12 minutes to play.

Benjamin Henrichs then set up Werner for his second goal, cutting the ball back for a straightforward finish to make sure of Germany’s win.

Meanwhile, in Moscow, Chile went behind to the Socceroos shortly before the break -
James Troisi finding the net in the 42nd minute.

Australian coach Ange Postecoglou made six changes to his starting line-up, including leaving two of his best attackers – Tom Rogic and Aaron Mooy – on the bench. But it proved a superb decision as they took the game to the South Americans

But, with just over 20 minutes to go, Martin Rodriguez levelled affairs and the 1-1 draw was enough to see them qualify for the final-four and set up a clash with Euro 2016 champions Portugal.

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