Brazil Win Confederations Cup

4 months ago 29th Jun 10:51

Despite being two goals down at half time Brazil came back to lift the Confederations Cup and prevent the USA from completing a shock victory.

Despite the USA being the shock conquerors of European Champions Spain earlier in the week brazil were the heavy favourites going into the match but soon found themselves on the back foot as the USA found the back of the net.

While Brazil had the majority of the possession they failed to capitalise as they were all waiting for the likes of Kaka to turn on the magic.

The USA made them pay for their sloppiness as they went on an attack of their own as the slightest flick from Clint Dempsey beat keeper Julio Cesar to give them a 1-0 lead.

Kaka was making chances from every other player but himself as he set up Robinho and Melo but Everton's goal keeper Tim Howard was more than a match for them keeping his side in the match.

Brazil's failure to get the equaliser gave the American hope as they pushed forward again and some great passing between Landon Donovan and Charlie Davies gave them a two goal advantage as Donovan got the best of Cesar.

With seconds of the first half to go Brazil almost found the back of the net as Maicon found a way through the USA's defence only to be denied by Carlos Bocanegra.

Into the second half and brazil looked like a different team and it took them less than a minute to get themselves on the scoreboard as Luis Fanbiano turned on a pass from Melo to fire a goal past Howard.

Brazil were not driving forward with more purpose Kaka was denied as Howard punched the ball clear, however replays showed that the ball did in fact cross the line.

But that wasn't to matter as the equaliser came with quarter of an hour as Robinho's shot hit the bar and fell tot he feet of Fabiano who made not mistakes.

The momentum was well and truly with brazil now as they continued to push forward and the USA were unable to hold them off as an unmarked Lucio headed home a third to seal victory.

The third place play off between Spain and hosts South Africa was a rather dull affair until ten minutes to go when South Africa took the lead through a Katlego Mphela goal.

And it looked like Spain were heading for a second successive defeat until two goals in two minutes from Daniel Guiza appeared to seal them victory.

Deep into stoppage time, and with South African supporters streaming out of the stadium, Mphela secured extra time as a screaming free-kick found the back of the net.

Despite both teams pushing forward in a bid to gain the momentum it was Spain who finally broke through as Alonso scored in the second period of extra time from a set piece to give Spain a 3-2 victory and third place.

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw