Rosberg Wins Puncture Filled Silverstone

Nico Rosberg claims his second victory of the season after seeing both Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel surrender the lead due to faults. Despite a number or great overtaking laps, this will unfortunately be another race where Pirelli hit the headlines as four left rear punctures caused havoc amongst the field.

Rosberg had to hold off a fantastic charge from Mark Webber who came from fifth on lap-45 to second and just 0.7 seconds behind the Mercedes as they reached the chequered flag. Fernando Alonso had made a similar charge at the end to grab third and Hamilton managed to recover from one of those punctures to claim fourth from Kimi Raikkonen, who wasn't pitted during a Safety Car when his rivals were, much to Finn's dismay.

 Hamilton had got off brilliantly from the start with Rosberg falling behind Vettel. Webber also had a shocking start, falling to 15th after losing some his front wing after contact from Romain Grosjean. Felipe Massa was another winner from the start, climbing to fifth, with Raikkonen sixth.

Alonso began his first charge by overtaking Grosjean to claim eighth on lap two. Webber had to start regaining his places and it began on lap eight with an overtake on Jenson Button to go tenth. Lap eight was also where the carnage started as, out of nowhere, Hamilton's left rear tyre just imploded and his chances of winning this Grand Prix had now gone. The Brit did manage to get the wounded car back to the pits but the lead was now with Vettel.

Massa suffered the same problem on lap ten; the Ferrari's left rear also imploded as the Brazilian was taking a corner and he span off the track. Again, fortunately, Massa also managed to get it back to the pits and continue the race albeit in last place.

Grosjean became the first man to pit for his first tyre change on lap ten. Alonso and Webber followed on lap-11 with the Red Bull also getting a front nose change after its previous damage. The early stops seemed to work as Grosjean and Alonso managed to overtake Raikkonen on lap-12 before Alonso also moved ahead of Grosjean to claim seventh. Alonso was then fifth come lap-13 after overtaking Jean-Eric Vergne while Rosberg and Adrian Sutil came in for their stops. Vettel responded by pitting a lap later and comfortably retained his lead.

Lap-15 saw Vergne become victim number three as his left rear also burst and splattered all over the road. Luckily, the two Lotus' managed to get through without any trouble although Raikkonen was bombarded with the debris after passing Grosjean just before. Again, Vergne had managed to get to the pits and the Safety Car was deployed. It took five laps before the Safety Car came back in again and Webber was the first to react, overtaking Sergio Perez to gain eighth. Vettel had managed to surge away to keep his lead under control.

Ricciardo, who's now staking his claim to be in Webber's Red Bull next season, managed to overtake Grosjean on lap-28 to claim fifth. Esteban Gutierrez suffered some front wing damage on that lap after seemingly crashing in to one of the polystyrene advertising boards. A lap later and Webber had also found a way past Grosjean to take seventh.

Raikkonen was the first man to pit for a second time on lap-30 and he was followed by Grosjean and Alonso a lap later. Again the early stops seemed to pay dividends as both Raikkonen and Alonso managed to overtake Hamilton to claim sixth and seventh respectively. By lap-34, after a few more pit stops, Webber had also managed to overtake Hamilton to move in to fifth. Just like before, Rosberg pitted on lap-35 before Vettel came in a lap later an easily kept his lead. Webber had also managed to claim fourth from Alonso on lap-36. Vergne was then retired on lap-37 after his earlier puncture had caused too much damage to his floor and couldn't continue.

Vettel was also made to retire on lap-41 after suddenly suffering a gearbox failure, meaning he had to park the Red Bull on the finish straight and suffer his first retirement of the season when it looked like the win was all his. This caused a second Safety Car and it was here where nearly all but Raikkonen took advantage by coming in to the pits. This bemused Raikkonen and the Finn did ask why he wasn't called in and the team's response was simply 'we don't know but it's too late now'.

The Safety Car came in on lap-45 and Webber instantly began his final charge by overtaking Ricciardo for fourth place. Alonso began in the same vain by overtaking Button to claim seventh. Perez became the fourth victim of the rear left puncture on lap-46 where again the tyre just burst. It was his second left rear puncture of the weekend and again it caused too much damage for him to continue so also had to be retired from the race.

Webber overtook Sutil to claim third on lap-47 with Alonso and Hamilton managing to pass Ricciardo to claim fifth and sixth. Webber was second on the next lap after taking advantage of the poor decision not to pit Raikkonen and Alonso was also gaining by taking fourth from Sutil. As Webber continued his charge to Rosberg, Hamilton also overtook Sutil before both he and Alonso had passed Raikkonen by lap-51 to put the Ferrari on the podium.

Grosjean was retired on the final lap which meant he could watch the last few corners of Webber's chase on Rosberg. But Rosberg managed to hold on, although it may not have been the case if the race was a few laps longer, with 0.7 seconds to spare over Webber. Race result:

1. Rosberg (Mercedes), 2. Vettel (Red Bull), 3. Alonso (Ferrari), 4. Hamilton (Mercedes), 5. Raikkonen (Lotus), 6. Massa (Ferrari), 7. Sutil (Force India), 8. Ricciardo (Toro Rosso), 9. Di Resta (Force India), 10. Hulkenberg (Sauber), 11. Maldonado (Williams), 12. Bottas (Williams), 13. Button (McLaren), 14. Gutierrez (Sauber), 15. Pic (Caterham), 16. Bianchi (Marussia), 17. Chilton (Marussia), 18. Van der Garde (Caterham) DNF: Vergne (Toro Rosso), Vettel (Red Bull), Perez (McLaren), Grosjean (Lotus)

Darcy Back With A Bang

After spending the best part of four meetings out with injury, Darcy Ward returned to action by claiming the crown in the Danish GP. With 44-points from virtually three rounds, it’s a shame Ward has missed so much action as he would be definitely be fighting to the championship based on this form.

Ward was back to winning ways as early as his second heat and, after two more heat wins, he claimed a place in the semi-finals before seeing off the impressive Matej Zagar to win the event in Copenhagen. After three poor events recently, Tomasz Gollob managed to get back in to a final and finish third with World Champion Chris Holder, who closes the gap on Tai Woffinden to just two points in the overall standings, fourth.

The first semi-final was a man light as Freddie Lindgren couldn’t participate. Lindgren was one of two Swedish casualties on the night and he looked to have broken his upper arm after crashing in heat-19. So it was two from three and it would be the Aussie pairing, Ward ahead of Holder, who edged out the ever present Greg Hancock.

From nowhere, Zagar took the second semi-final with Gollob taking second place. It was a real turn up for the books as Emil Sayfutdinov, now 13-points ahead in the overall standings, could only beat Woffinden in to third.

The night began in relatively harmless fashion with Hancock winning the opening heat ahead of Krzyzstof Kasprzak, Woffinden and the Danish wildcard, Michael Jepsen Jensen. The Danish crowd were then treated to a Niels-Kristian Iversen victory in heat two with Gollob fourth behind Lindgren and Jaroslaw Hampel.

Heat three caused a huge delay and it had to be restarted twice, firstly because of a false start from Zagar. All four were allowed back and carnage ensued; Zagar got a good start again and took the lead. Sayfutdinov was catching him down the back straight but there wasn’t enough room and the Russian crashed in to the air fence. Andreas Jonsson was unfortunate as he rode in to the arm of Sayfutdinov before falling heavily himself. Sayfutdinov, who was already carrying an injury with a broken metatarsal, was extremely lucky not to suffer any severe injury. But Jonsson looked have suffered a collarbone injury and his night was over. The referee faced a tough call in who to disqualify for the incident and he chose to disqualify Zagar, much to his anger. Track reserve Peter Kildemand had to replace Jonsson for the second restart and he managed to take second from Holder as Sayfutdinov recovered to take the victory.

Nicki Pedersen managed to make his home crowd roar in heat four with a victory that saw Ward begin his comeback with a second place. The Aussie returned to compete in heat five and was victorious with Woffinden second, the enraged Zagar third and Hampel fourth. Holder took heat six with Pedersen only managing third behind Lindgren. Track reserve Kenni Larsen came on in heat seven and would grab third behind Hancock and Gollob. Heat eight belonged to Sayfutdinov, making it two out of two, whilst the Danish duo, Jepsen Jensen and Iversen, could only manage third and fourth respectively behind Martin Vaculik.

Woffinden took his first heat of the night in the ninth before Sayfutdinov made it three from three in the tenth. Antonio Lindback, who continued his dreadful season, would score his first of only two points with a third place in heat ten. Pedersen could only finish second with Iversen third for Denmark in heat-11 as Zagar took the chequered flag with Hancock languishing in fourth. Holder took his second consecutive heat in the 12^th, ahead of Ward in second, as Gollob returned to fourth place.

The veteran Pole must have then had a word with himself as he came out in heat-13 and won it with Woffinden second, Sayfutdinov third and Pedersen fourth. Ward claimed his second heat on night in the 14^th as Denmark continued to have a terrible of it with Larsen third and Iversen fourth. Heat-15 had to be restarted as Hampel went down in the first corner. All four came back and Hampel managed to win it, Vaculik packed up to allow Holder second and Hancock third. Lindgren staked his claim for a place in the semi-finals with victory in heat-16.

Woffinden would claim his place in the semi-finals with his second victory in heat-17. Iversen suffered a big crash on the final lap but the result stood, with Holder second and Lindback third, and fortunately Iversen was okay. The rejuvenated Gollob won his second consecutive heat in the 18^th which also booked his place in the semi-finals. Lindgren suffered his broken arm in heat-19 after losing control of his bike going in to the second corner. The restart saw Ward claim his third heat of the night with Sayfutdinov second and Hancock third. The Danish crowd did finally manage to end the heats with something to cheer about as Jepsen Jensen managed to win heat-20 but Pedersen and Klindemand could only finish third and fourth behind Hampel.

Overall standings after round seven:

11.       Emil Sayfutdinov 97

22.       Tai Woffinden 84

33.       Chris Holder 82

44.       Jaroslaw Hampel 72

55.       Nicki Pedersen 71

66.       Greg Hancock 66

77.       Niels-Kristian Iversen 64

88.       Tomasz Gollob 62

99.       Matej Zagar 61

112.   Darcy Ward 44 

2013 British GP Qualifying Result

1. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
2. Nico Rosberg (Mercedes)
3. Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull)
4. Mark Webber (Red Bull)
5. Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso)
6. Adrian Sutil (Force India)
7. Romain Grosjean (Lotus)
8. Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus)
9. Fernando Alonso (Ferrari)
10. Jenson Button (McLaren)
11. Felipe Massa (Ferrari)
12. Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso)
13. Sergio Perez (McLaren)
14. Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber)
15. Pastor Maldonado (Williams)
16. Valtteri Bottas (Williams)
17. Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber)
18. Charles Pic (Caterham)
19. Jules Bianchi (Marussia)
20. Giedo Van Der Garde (Caterham)
21. Max Chilton (Marussia)
22. Paul Di Resta (Force India)

Navved It

  

Spain line-up: Casillas, Pique, Ramos, Arbeloa, Alba, Iniesta, Xavi, Busquets, Silva (Navas, 52'), Torres (Martinez, 94'), Pedro (Mata, 79')

Italy line-up: Buffon, Maggio, Chiellini, Barzagli (Montolivo, 45'), Bonucci, Candreva, Marchisio, De Rossi, Pirlo, Giaccherini, Gilardino (Giovinco, 91')

After two hours of goalless football, Spain managed to book their place against Brazil in the final of the Confederations Cup. It was a match that Italy actually dominated but were made to rue their missed chances throughout the match. From a goalless match, the game saw 12 fantastic penalties before Leonardo Bonucci sent his effort in to row z, allowing Jesus Navas to make it seven out of seven for Spain and go through.

The shoot-out began in audacious form with Antonio Candreva emulating both Andrea Pirlo and Sergio Ramos in recent years by scoring with an outrageous chip. Neither keeper really had a chance in the shoot-out as every single penalty found the corner. With all ten penalties finding the net, the shoot-out went in to sudden death and after Riccardo Montolivo and Sergio Busquets had made it 6-6, it was the turn of Bonucci. 

If the Italians were able to call upon Mario Balotelli, the game may not have gotten so far as penalties, but Italy just couldn't find a breakthrough. The chances began after just ten minutes when Christian Maggio managed to get a free header from a corner but he could only head over. 

Spain were still in control possession wise, but just couldn't break down the Italian defensive set up, which then allowed Italy to hit the World Champions on the counter. Alberto Gilardino was the next to have a chance but his effort was also just wide. Iker Casillas' first call in to action came just before the 20-minute mark when Maggio got on to the end of an unbelievable Pirlo long pass, the wing back managed to get a diving header on to it, but it was straight at Casillas who managed to get it away.

Spain's defence was continuously opened up during the first half and both Daniele De Rossi and Claudio Marchisio were guilty of not putting their efforts on target. With ten minutes of the half remaining, Maggio was again scratching his head as to why his header from Emanuele Giaccherini's cross was only straight at Casillas again.

Spain's only real chance of the half came straight after as they went up the other end. Fernando Torres managed to turn Andrea Barzagli a treat to find himself through on goal. But the Chelsea striker could only drag his effort wide. De Rossi would again test Casillas just before half-time with a stinging shot that Casillas could only punch.

The second half was a lot slower paced than the first but Spain managed to get the first chance ten minutes in to the half. It was substitute Navas who managed to give Gianluigi Buffon his first save after Torres played the ball back to him. Maggio ended up creating more trouble down the wing but this time Marchisio's shot was blocked. Spain tried to create something before the end, but the game ultimately drifted in to extra time.

The closest anyone came to goal was when substitute Sebastian Giovinco sliced his effort, the ball ran to Giaccherini who smashed his effort against the post, just three minutes in to the extra period. Spain also created chances but both Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba failed to get their efforts on target. 

Juan Mata came close for Spain in the second half of extra time, but again it was a shot that was off target. It was also Spain's turn to hit the woodwork as the minutes ran out, Xavi smashing a long effort that Buffon managed to palm on to the post. But if Buffon got somewhat lucky with that, he kept Italy in it a few moments later when he saved Navas' low shot. 

But penalties was probably the best way to decide this match and ultimately, it would be a match where Italy should have toppled to World Champions but were left to rue their missed chances.

Samba Football Is Coming Home

  

Brazil line-up: Julio Cesar, Alves, Thiago Silva, David Luiz, Marcelo, Oscar (Hernanes, 72'), Dias, Paulinho, Fred, Neymar (Dante, 90'), Hulk (Bernard, 64')

Uruguay line-up: Muslera, Lugano, Godin, Pereira, Caceres, Rodriguez, Arevalo, Gonzalez (Gargano, 83'), Suarez, Forlan, Cavani  

A late strike from Paulinho has sent the hosts, Brazil, in to the final of the Confederations Cup in front of their home crowd. With the all unrest in the country, the people can come together full of pride as they watch their beloved team play in another major tournament. Paulinho's winner came after Edinson Cavani finally arrived in the tournament to cancel out Fred's first half goal. All of this action came after Diego Forlan saw his penalty superbly saved by Julio Cesar.

Contrary to their group matches, Brazil did start on the front foot but not with any real attacking intent for the first 15-minutes or so. Uruguay on the other hand, looked quite dangerous from some early set pieces. David Luiz nervously headed a long throw against Luiz Gustavo and the ball went out for a corner after just five minutes.

With a lot of build up to the game and with the attacking promise on show, it was a beginning that left a lot to be desired which was a shame considering how good this tournament has been overall so far. Finally, Brazil, well David Luiz, buckled under the pressure of Uruguay's set pieces as the Chilean referee was left pointing to the spot after just 15-minutes. Uruguay were upset with the decision of employing a Chilean official for this match as they thought he might favour Brazil, but instead he did this. It was no doubt the right decision as the Chelsea defender had grabbed Diego Lugano by the shirt and tossed him around as a corner came in. It was the elder statesman Forlan who stepped up and, after a bit of delay, hit a good penalty heading to the keeper's left hand corner only for Julio Cesar to perform brilliantly as he guessed right and turned it around the post.

Although it woke the crowd up, it didn't seem to wake Brazil and Uruguay came close from another corner when Julio Cesar tried to come out and collect but only really get a half-hearted punch on it. It came to the edge of the box before it was headed back over Julio Cesar's head but just on to the roof of the net.

As the half hour mark came and went, both teams finally created little openings that first saw Fred blaze over after Hulk did well to get the ball to him, followed by Forlan just missing the top corner with a strike from a Cristian Rodriguez shot. 

Brazil tried to look dangerous on the counter attack and, from virtually nowhere, they found themselves in front three minutes before half-time. Samba style football was rejected for a proper route one, over the top, ball that found Neymar on the move. The striker managed to chest it before firing a shot that Fernando Muslera could only parry the ball away, the loose ball was met by Fred who smashed the ball past the two defenders on the line to send the home crowd in to euphoria.

The first half hadn't really begun before Uruguay found their equaliser just three minutes in to it; not for the first time this tournament, Edinson Cavani has had a shocker but he was able to dispossess a dawdling Neymar after Brazil failed to clear their lines and hitting a shot past Julio Cesar. It wasn't a classic by any means but the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea will be thankful that he still knows where the goal is after this invisible tournament.

The game began to get a little stretched following that goal, but neither really did much to hurt the other keeper. Hulk fired in a teasing free-kick that was straight at Muslera, this proved to be his final piece of action in the game as he was subbed for the young Bernard shortly afterwards. Luis Suarez almost put Uruguay ahead but his header from a Forlan cross was just over the bar. 

The substitution seemed to work well for Brazil as, from nowhere, they created another chance. The young quartet of Marcelo, Bernard, Oscar and Neymar finally got some one touch passing going with the latter being able to get a shot away, but again it was straight at Muslera.

As the end drew near, it was looking more likely that this might have to be settled in extra time as neither team continued to create any decent chances. Cavani almost caused trouble again when his shot was deflected off of Gustavo, but it fell inches wide. 

But everyone was spared the dreaded extra time four minutes from time when Brazil managed to get their winner. Not for the first time, it came out nothing, and no surprise to see Neymar had a part to play. It was Neymar's corner that saw Paulinho go to the back post and head the hosts in to the final. 

Uruguay Too Greight For Tahiti, Alba Brace Helps Eliminate Nigeria

Group B ended up finishing as expected with Spain winning the group unbeaten and Uruguay finishing as runners-up. A comfortable 3-0 victory over Nigeria meant that Spain easily booked a semi-final date with Italy, a replay of the Euro 2012 final. It was always going to be a tall order for Uruguay not to qualify and book a semi-final place against fellow South Americans, Brazil, and an 8-0 victory over Tahiti confirmed this.

Any hopes of Tahiti putting in a brave defensive performance to reduce the goals were dashed pretty much straight away. The French Polynesian side were behind after just two minutes when the much changed Uruguay side took a corner. The ball was flicked on by Andreas Scotti before being headed in by Palermo's 22-year old striker, Abel Hernandez from all of five yards.

In the other game, it only took a minute more for Spain to begin edging out Nigeria from the tournament. Jordi Alba produced some great skill to beat four defenders before getting a bit of luck with a ricochet. The Barcelona man then fired in his shot from 15-yards to cap off a truly brilliant solo effort. Nigeria did try to respond but Victor Valdes was up to the challenge and managed to keep the Africans out.

Tahiti were again doing their best to be attacking and provide some sort of threat. But their defence was still risking that dangerous high line and it was breached again on 24-minutes. Hernandez was able to score his second with a touch of class that may get some attention from the big boys of Europe. The striker was played in over the top but Jonathan Tehau did well to race back to him. This didn't bother Hernandez though and he just flicked the ball over his head and expertly volleyed the ball home.

It was 3-0 just three minutes later and it was a rare moment in front of goal for Diego Perez. This time it was Walter Gargano who played the ball over the high defence and Perez was able to head it goalwards. But the header hit the post before Perez rushed to get to the rebound along the line in front of the keeper and tap in his second goal in 85-caps.

Spain were making all the headway in the other game and it was pretty much down to Vincent Enyeama as to why the World Champions hadn't doubled their lead. They would come even closer as the half drew to a close when Cesc Fabregas could only hit the post with his rasping effort.

Tahiti did create a few chances as the first half came to an end and the impressive Steevy Chong Hue continued to be so again. He managed to break through the defence and round the keeper but as the grass was running out, Chong Hue lost his balance and his effort could only hit the side netting. Uruguay would go in to the break 4-0 ahead and it was Hernandez who would get his hat-trick. Again Gargano was the creator with another defence splitting ball for the striker to send his shot in to the net.

Tahiti may not have scored in this match but they did cause the stadium to roar with a piece of fantastic pride. Uruguay would be given a penalty just four minutes in to the second half when Matias Aguirregaray was fouled by Nicolas Vallar. Scotti stepped up to take it and keeper Gilbert Meriel managed to guess right and save it. The ball did momentarily spill from underneath him but he quickly dived back on it to cause an absolute frenzy on the bench and in the crowd. The Oceania side were then given a slight helping hand when Scotti was later sent off just two minutes later for a second bookable offence after bringing down Chong Hue and Uruguay were down to ten.

But it didn't take long for the player count to be levelled up when Teheivarii Ludivion also saw red on the hour mark, also for a second bookable offence. This competition had gotten this far, perhaps more through luck than judgement, without a red card and now there had two in one game. Uruguay instantly took advantage by scoring their fifth just a minute later; Gargano again getting the assist with a cross come shot that Nicolas Lodeiro was able to tap home.

Nigeria had been more threatening at the beginning of their second half. But Spain soon made them quiet with a second on 62-minutes. Fernando Torres had just come on for Soldado and within moments he managed to send a diving header past Pedro for his fifth of the tournament. Torres should have made that six just minutes later, but this time he mis-cued his effort and it sailed over the bar.

Hernandez was able to cap off a memorable match with a fourth goal on 67-minutes. It came via another penalty when Chong Hue shrugged Aguirregaray off the ball in the box and it was the right decision to point to the spot. Hernandez coolly stepped up and converted in to the bottom corner with a great spot kick. Luis Suarez would make a cameo appearance towards the end and it began by scoring Uruguay's seventh eight minutes from time; hie Premiership experience was enough to outsmart a Tahitian defender with a turn and the want-away Liverpool striker fired home. Suarez would also score Uruguay's eight with two minutes remaining and scored with a neat finish after being given the ball by Hernandez.

Spain's victory was also assured on that mark as they grabbed their third. It actually came from a Nigeria that was cleared. Alba was the quickest to the loose ball with a run that began in his own half. He managed to control the ball before rounding Enyeama a rolling home his second of the match. Final group table:

1. Spain     9
2. Uruguay 6
3. Nigeria   3
4. Tahiti      0

Italy Feel Brazil's Fource, Hernandez Two Good For Japan

Brazil win Group A after winning a six goal thriller against Italy. Dante's opener before half-time was initially cancelled out by Emanuele Giaccherini before another great finish from Neymar put the hosts back in front. Fred finished the game off by scoring a goal either side of Giorgio Chiellini's second for Italy. Meanwhile in the battle of pride, two goals for Javier Hernandez was enough for Mexico to claim third place despite Shinji Okazaki scoring late on for Japan.

Japan did start the better in the other game as Shinji Kagawa had a great chance to give them the lead after five minutes before Okazaki had a goal ruled out for offside. Keisuke Honda continued to perform well as he tries to gain a free transfer, but his effort was stopped by Guillermo Ochoa. But Mexico actually came the closest late on in the first half when Andres Guardado headed his effort against the post.

 Just like in the their second game, Italy were second best and made an early tactical substitute, it was Giaccherini for Riccardo Montolivo. Brazil had the only chances early on, but nothing really to trouble Gianluigi Buffon. But the first half in the group decider was more about injuries than chances at goal. Ignazio Abate had to go off with a dislocated shoulder after a collision with Neymar, for which he got booked. David Luiz joined Abate by getting stretchered off after suffering a knock earlier in the game that he couldn't recover from. But the fans were given something to cheer in first half injury time when a Neymar free-kick was headed on by Fred. Buffon did manage to parry the effort, but only to Bayern Munich's Dante who finished it off.

The second halves were a lot more entertaining than their firsts and began after just nine minutes in Belo Horizonte as Hernandez broke the deadlock for Mexico. The Manchester United front man managed to get to Guardado's cross to tap it home.

Back in Salvador, Italy had levelled just six minutes in to the half. Mario Balotelli produced a great bit of skill to back heel the ball in to the path of Giaccherini down the wing. The striker cuts in and managed to smash the ball in to the corner. But parity only lasted for four minutes as Neymar scored his third goal of the tournament with a stunning free-kick in to the corner that Buffon had no chance with, making it three fantastic goals in three games.

Hernandez scored his second on 66-minutes when he managed to head Hiram Mier's flick on to all but succumb Japan to fourth place in the group. Japan did pull one back four minutes from the end when Okazaki rushed in to finish off a cross from short range. Hernandez did have the chance to put the game beyond all doubt when he was brought down in the box by Atsuto Uchida, but his subsequent penalty was saved before Hernandez hit the crossbar with his rebound. Mexico did mange to hold on though to finish third in the group.

Fred made it 3-1 in the same minute in the other game. Marcelo managed to find a great floating ball for Fred to chest down. The striker then out-muscled Chiellini before smashing his effort in to the roof of the net.

Italy managed to make it 3-2 on 71-minutes in bizarre circumstances. It came from a corner but the referee seemed to blow for a penalty for a foul on Balotelli. Just after the whistle had gone, Chiellini had put the ball in the net and, after a lot of deliberation, the referee actually decided that the goal should stand even though the ball had gone dead. Although if he had played advantage in the first place, there would have been no problem.

Christian Maggio almost levelled for Italy, but his header from a corner hit the crossbar and stayed out. Top spot was then guaranteed two minutes before the end when the great man Buffon again failed to cover himself in an glory. It came from a Marcelo shot which was only parried by the keeper and in to the path of Fred who gratefully slotted the ball home for his second of the match. Final table:

1. Brazil    9
2. Italy      6
3. Mexico 3
4. Japan    0

Ton Up Forlan Sees Off Forlan

 

Nigeria line-up: Enyeama, Obobona, Echiejle, Ambrose, Omeruo, Ogu (Mba, 66'), Mikel, Ogude, Musa, Brown (Akpala, 73'), Oduamadi (Babatunde, 45')

Uruguay line-up: Muslera, Lugano, Godin, M. Pereira, Caceres, Rodriguez (A. Pereira, 87'), Arevalo, Gonzalez, Suarez (Coates, 83'), Forlan, Cavani

Uruguay are now favourites to join Spain and progress from Group B after edging out Nigeria. Diego Forlan celebrated his 100th Uruguayan cap by smashing in the winning goal after Diego Lugano's tap in had been cancelled out by a piece of brilliance from Chelsea's John Obi Mikel. As Nigeria now have to beat Spain and Uruguay should easily beat Tahiti, it looks like Uruguay are in pole position to progress through with Spain.

The fans voted with their feet with the stadium only half full, possibly to do with the protests or possibly because they knew this game wasn't going to be a classic. Either way, the game did leave a lot to be desired. Neither keeper was really tested which was a shame considering the attacking talent that was on show.

The first ten minutes was all Uruguay and Christian Rodriguez came close early on with a rasping shot that was tipped over by Vincent Enyeama. Ahmed Musa had Nigeria's first effort after ten minutes but it rolled harmlessly wide. It was a good job that Fernando Muslera wasn't really worked because he looked rather shaky at the beginning, spilling a few crosses.

The opening goal really came out of nowhere on 19-minutes; a corner was headed back out to Forlan and the former Manchester United man sent in a teasing first time low cross which fell to Lugano who was able to tap it home from five yards.

Forlan almost got lucky shortly after when a Suarez cross hit Forlan as it was attempted to be cleared. The ricochet just fell wide and Nigeria could breathe a sigh of relief. With eight minutes of the half remaining, Nigeria found a way back as the experience Uruguay side looked to tire. Mikel was put through and the Chelsea managed to dip the shoulder to beat Lugano and rifle the ball in to the top corner.

Lugano wasn't having a good couple of minutes as he attempted a poor pass a moment later and it was intercepted by Musa. But Musa's effort wasn't the best and it went harmlessly wide. Nigeria were then dealt a blow as hat-trick hero against Tahiti, Nnamdi Oduamadi, had to go off injured. They also came close just before half-time when Brown Ideye managed to get a header from a corner which was tipped over by Muslera.

The winner ended up coming six minutes in to the second half. Uruguay broke and the ball came to Forlan down the wing. He made strides in to the box before smashing a wonderful effort to really give something memorable on his 100th cap.

 It turned out to be a killer blow as Nigeria couldn't find anything to get back in to the game. Without the likes of Victor Moses, Emmanuel Emenike, Kalu Uche and even Peter Odemwingie the African champions really lacked a finishing touch. Elderson Echiejile did his best to provide with some great crosses, but they were just a little over hit.

With a big transfer being talked about for Edison Cavani, it was a surprise to see how poor he has performed over the two games so far. He had a few chances to settle the game but failed to even to hit the target. Nigeria did almost equalise in the 95th minute when a corner fell to Echiejile but the shot was saved by the foot of Muslera, but the flag had gone up for offside anyway and Uruguay escaped with the three minutes.

  

Spain's Starter For Ten

 

Spain line-up: Reina, Albiol, Azpilicueta, Ramos (Navas, 45'), Monreal, Martinez, Cazorla (Iniesta, 76'), Silva, Villa, Torres, Mata (Fabregas, 69')

Tahiti line-up: Roche, Ludivion, Vallar, Lemaire, Aitamai, J. Tehau (T. Tehau, 52'), A. Tehau, Vahirua, Caroine, Bourebare (L. Tehau, 69'), Chong Hue  

It was the scoreline many expected but it was played in the spirit that perhaps a lot of people didn't expect. Spain may have put ten past Tahiti but gain a lot of credit. Just like they did against Nigeria, Tahiti didn't park the bus and tried to attack to best team in the world. There was a hat-trick for David Villa and four for Fernando Torres but the Confederation's Cup's biggest winning scoreline may actually be remembered more for a comical penalty miss by the Chelsea striker.

It took just five minutes before Tahiti's high line was breached. Torres played a great one-two down the wing before cutting inside the box and scoring at Mikael Roche's near post. But it didn't deter Tahiti one bit. Steevy Chong Hue once again impressed and he went down in the box looking for a hopeful penalty that wasn't given.

Roche prevented Spain from scoring their second goal with Torres hitting a half-volley straight at him. Jonathan Tehau also denied Spain from scoring just after the half hour mark when he prevented Torres' low ball getting to Villa. But the denial only lasted another 30-seconds as Villa turned provider, laying the ball across for David Silva to stroke in to the bottom corner.

It was 3-0 just two minutes later when Tahiti's high line was caught out on the halfway line. Torres was played through and Roche came out to try and get to him. Torres then cleverly clipped the ball over the top of the keeper before rolling it home in to the bottom corner.

It should have been four on 37-minutes but Villa ended up smashing his effort in to the side netting. But the fourth did come two minutes later when the Spaniards ended up being five versus one at the back after Tahiti were attacking again. This time is was Silva who played the ball across for Villa to make amends for his miss.

Tahiti did manage to make it until the fourth minute of the second half when Villa scored his second tap in, this time from Nacho Monreal's low cross. That became six on 57-minutes when Torres scored his hat-trick, Silva put half-time substitute Jesus Navas through and his pull back was netted by the Chelsea man.

Villa got his hat-trick on 64-minutes from a slightly offside position. Again Tahiti's line was on halfway as the long ball was played over the top. The ball should have gone easily to Roche but the keeper somehow managed to dive either over the ball, allowing Villa to gratuitously roll the ball home. Spain's eighth came two minutes later when Juan Mata joined the act by finishing between the keeper's legs.

Pepe Reina constantly spoiled the party as he prevented Tahiti from converting a low cross, much to the displeasure on the 71,000 fans in the Maracana. They even lifted the rafters when Roche made two good saves, an applause that almost brought the keeper to tears.

The officials weren't very forgiving either and the referee pointed the spot on 77-minutes when Ricky Aitamai blocks a Navas cross with his arms. Torres stepped up and the Maracana crowd got their wish as he could only hit the cross bar. But Torres would make amends just moments later as Spain broke from another Tahiti attack, rounding Roche to net his fourth goal.

Double figures was assured in the final minute as Silva managed to swivel and score from another Navas pull back after Torres had initially got in the way. But for all the goals, none of them would have brought more joy than if Tahiti would have scored.

The ovation the Tahitians got after the final whistle was phenomenal. The little French Polynesian nation has gained a lot of friends in this tournament and everyone hopes that they can hopefully at least score against Uruguay in their final showing. One thing is for certain, a few of the Tahitian players may no longer be amateurs after this, especially Chong Hue and maybe even at least one member from the Tehau family.