Wasteful Germany made to sweat in Sochi

Germans too strong for Australia but win should have been more comfortable

Germany 3 Australia 2

Fresh-faced Germany were made to work harder than expected in their 3-2 victory over Australia in their Confederations Cup Group B debut on Monday with the world champions’ young squad still adjusting to tournament life.

With half a dozen key players rested this summer ahead of next year's World Cup title defence in Russia, Germany coach Joachim Low brought a young team to Russia.

But they still should have had an easier afternoon on the Black Sea were it not for their wasted scoring chances.

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The Germans were in control from the start with Lars Stindl converting a perfectly timed cutback from Julian Brandt to put them ahead in the fifth minute.

They squandered a hatful of chances in a one-sided first half and were punished when Tommy Rogic scored out of nowhere, his first off-target shot bouncing off a defender's back and his rebound slipping in under keeper Bernd Leno.

Their joy lasted only three minutes with the Germans earning a penalty on the stroke of half-time, captain Julian Draxler putting them back in the driving seat.

Leon Goretzka grabbed another three minutes after the restart but the Germans dropped the ball again with Leno letting a shot slip out of his hands and Tomi Juric tapping in.