Chile midfield star Arturo Vidal refused to peg any blame on Marcelo Diaz after his first-half error gifted Germany a 1-0 Confederations Cup final win in St Petersburg.
The Copa America holders, chasing a third title in as many years, started and finished the contest in the ascendancy but were unable to breakdown a Germany side who displayed grit and composure beyond their years.
Lars Stindl’s winner came heavily against the run of play in the 20th minute, shortly after Alexis Sanchez failed to convert the rebound when Marc-Andre ter Stegen parried a rasping Vidal drive.
Under little pressure, Diaz turned into trouble and allowed Timo Werner to lay on a tap-in for the Borussia Monchengladbach attacker.
“There are mistakes that can happen, but there is nothing to reproach,” Vidal told reporters in the mixed zone at Krestovsky Stadium. “I think this team is a family and when we win, all of us win.”
Vidal bullishly told a pre-match news conference that victory in the final would have established Chile as the best team on the planet.
Falling short of that goal did little to dent the Bayern Munich man’s confidence in a close-knit group, with World Cup glory in 12 months’ time still the ultimate goal.
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