Germany's Emre Can at the international soccer match between German and Slovakia in the WWK Arena in Augsburg, Germany, 29 May 2016. Photo: ANDREAS GEBERT/dpa

Emre Can helps Germany to Confederations Cup semi-finals with win over Cameroon

Liverpool midfielder Emre Can played the full 90 minutes as Germany cruised to a 3-1 victory over Cameroon in the Confederations Cup.

The 23-year-old made his second consecutive start for Joachim Low’s side in Sochi on Sunday, lining up alongside Sebastian Rudy in the middle of the park.

Taking up a more advanced role than in his previous outing against Chile on Thursday night, Can was tasked with supporting the likes of Julian Draxler and Kerem Demirbay.

Can’s inclusion belied previous suggestions that he had picked up an injury in training, with the Reds’ No. 23 looking in prime condition at the Olimpiyskiy Stadion Fisht.

It was Demirbay who got Germany off the mark just after half-time, before a brace from Reds target Timo Werner sandwiched a goal from Bestikas striker Vincent Aboubakar to seal the three points.

Can was in fine form throughout, constantly showing for the ball and showcasing his neat footwork and passing ability on the edge of the six-yard box.

He almost set Werner up for his hat-trick late on, threading the RB Leipzig youngster through with an expert reverse pass in the penalty area, but Fabrice Ondoa made a vital save.

More controversially, Can was on the receiving end of a strong, high challenge from Ernest Mabouka, with referee Wilmar Roldan prompting confusion around the stadium in the aftermath.

Roldan initially booked, then sent off, the wrong player in Sebastien Siani, before utilising the video assistant referee to determine that it was in fact Mabouka who required a red card.

Germany are now through to the semi-finals of the tournament in Russia, where they will take on Mexico on June 29.

The victor will then go on to face either Portugal or Chile in the final, with the latter finishing behind Germany in Group B following their 1-1 draw with Australia.

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