Midfielder Arturo Vidal says Chile can prove they are
the world ’s best team , and throw down a marker for
next year’ s World Cup, by beating Germany in
Sunday ’s Confederations Cup final .

Copa America champions Chile take on World Cup
holders Germany in St Petersburg with the teams
having already drawn 1 - 1 in the group stages .

Alexis Sanchez ’s early strike for Chile was cancelled
out by Lars Stindl when the teams met in Kazan ten
days ago.

Chile are looking for their third international trophy
in three years after winning both the 2015 and 2016
Copa America titles — beating Argentina in the final
on penalties on both occasions.

Having knocked Euro 2016 winners Portugal out of
the Confed Cup in Wednesday’s semi - final , Vidal says
beating Germany ’s young guns will prove Chile are
the best .

“ We have proven our value , we have beaten
Argentina and Portugal, the European champions ,”
said Vidal .

“ If we win tomorrow , we will prove we are the best
team in the world .

“ We have reached this final with our spirit and
attitude — this is a waiting room for the World Cup —
and if we win tomorrow , that will show where we are .
“ We still have to qualify for the World Cup, but we
have a lot of energy and want to prove ourselves . ”

Chile showed their penalty shoot - out pedigree again
in the Kazan semi , as goalkeeper Claudio Bravo saved
all three Portugal spot - kicks after it finished goalless
after extra - time .

Despite Bravo ’ s heroics , Germany head coach Joachim
Loew says he has no fear of a shoot - out —
understandable given Germany ’s record of having not
lost on spot - kicks at a major tournament since 1976 .

While Chile played 120 minutes in their semi- final ,
Germany will be slightly fresher having beaten
Mexico 4 - 1 in normal time on Thursday.

Sanchez scored after just six minutes in the group -
stage clash and Germany captain Julian Draxler says
his team need to be more focused.

“ We need to be 100 percent for the full 90 minutes ,”
said Draxler .

“ We have grown over the tournament and need to
really go into the one- on - ones , one of Chile’s
strengths , but getting the trophy would be the best
reward . ”

Germany were 2 - 0 up after just eight minutes of their
semi - final against Mexico and Loew wants another
bright start .

“ It will be very important to control the match early
on ,” said Loew .

“ Chile will try to build up as much pressure as
possible , as they have done so far, so we need to see
that we are able to liberate ourselves and create
space .

“ They are very good at moving the ball fast , so I hope
we have the agility and speed we showed against
Mexico . ”

A German is set to finish as the tournament ’s top
scorer with Leon Goretzka and Timo Werner both on
three goals, while Stindl has netted twice .

Chile coach Juan Antonio Pizzi says Loew ’s side – the
youngest Confed Cup squad with an average age of
just over 24 – have proven youth is no obstacle to
success.

“ They have a set of players with a lot of experience,
despite being very young ,” said Pizzi, using Bayern
Munich ’s Joshua Kimmich , 22 , and 25 - year - old
Arsenal defender Shkodran Mustafi as examples.

“( Joshua) Kimmich is a central pillar at one of the best
teams in the world .

“ Mustafi was part of the 2014 World Cup winning
team and plays in the Premier League , it makes them
a formidable opponent .

“ We are ready to face them on that level and will try
to make sure our work - rate is higher than theirs . ”

PUNCH