Leon Goretzka's early brace helps Germany beat Mexico in semifinal

Leon Goretzka's two goals staked Germany to an early lead and the world champions cruised past Mexico 4-1 to advance to the Confederations Cup final.

Goretzka had Germany 2-0 up inside eight minutes after scoring a brace in a span of one minute, 48 seconds, before Timo Werner added the third goal in the second half.

Mexico could not respond until Marco Fabian's stunning long-range strike in the 89th-minute, but even that was cancelled out by Amin Younes in stoppage time.

Germany, playing with a mostly experimental squad, advanced to take on Chile in Sunday's final, while Mexico will face Portugal in the third-place playoff.

Goretzka opened the scoring in the sixth minute with a powerful shot after Benjamin Henrichs squared the ball to him at the top of the box.

And less than two minutes later, the Schalke man had his second, this time running onto Timo Werner's through ball and beatig Mexico keeper Guillermo Ochoa with a shot to the far post.

Werner nearly added a third when he ran in alone on goal in the 19th minute, but this time Ochoa made the save.

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Mexico found the footing with a series of chances after the half-hour mark.

First, Germany keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen was called upon to make a double save, first from Giovani Dos Santos and then the follow-up from his brother Jonathan.

Two minutes later, Mexico saw their best chance go begging as the ball fell to Javier Hernandez six yards from goal, but the striker put his hurried attempt over the bar.

Hector Herrera's free kick than lofted a few inches too high as Germany entered half-time with their lead still intact.

Werner had another opportunity in the 52 minute as his attempt from an tight angle flashed across the face of goal.

But seven minutes later he finally found his goal, tapping in a cutback from Hector Herrera to go level with Goretzka atop the tournament's Golden Boot race with three.

Mexico had a few more attempts to get back in the game -- substitute Fabian struck the side netting, and Ter Stegen made a good save to deny Miguel Layun.

Raul Jimenez put a 75th-minute attempt off the crossbar, but that was as close as Mexico came to denting Germany's lead until Fabian's blast from distance following a set piece provided a consolation late on.

Younes added a tap-in in the added time to restore Germany's three-goal advantage before the final whistle.