Brazil Create Magic in the Maracana

   

Brazil line-up: Julio Cesar, Alves, Thiago Silva, David Luiz, Marcelo, Oscar, Dias, Paulinho (Hernanes, 88'), Fred (Jo, 80'), Neymar, Hulk (Jadson, 73')

Spain line-up: Casillas, Pique, Ramos, Arbeloa (Azpilicueta, 46'), Alba, Iniesta, Xavi, Busquets, Torres (Villa, 59'), Pedro, Mata (Navas, 52')

Brazil lay down their marker for next year’s World Cup by claiming their third consecutive Confederations Cup. Two goals from Fred and another from Neymar saw Spain’s hopes of winning all three major international tournaments wiped out in stunning fashion. Gerard Pique was sent off at and Sergio Ramos also missed a penalty at 3-0 as Spain played their worst competitive game in a long time.

The Maracana was magic before a ball was kicked. The Brazilian national anthem was awe-inspiring once again and definitely spurred the hosts in to action. The crowd were rewarded within two minutes when Hulk’s cross caused a mad scramble in the box. The ball fell under Fred, who was on the floor, but the striker managed to react as it rolled and he kicked the ball over Iker Casillas to give Brazil the lead.

Spain, just like in the semi-final, were second best for nearly all of the game and they should have been 2-0 down after eight minutes. A good bit of build-up ended with the ball deflecting off of Alvaro Arbeloa to Fred. Fred then laid it off to Oscar but the Chelsea man dragged his effort wide. Spain still hadn’t created anything by the time Paulinho had tried to chip Casillas but the keeper had got back to his line yet still had to parry it down on the line before clutching.

It could have got worse on the quarter of an hour mark when there was a case for the World Champions to go down to ten men. The ball was hit over the top and Neymar would have been clean through. But Arbeloa dragged him down on the halfway line to prevent Neymar getting in. It wouldn’t have been a surprise to see Arbreloa sent off but the distance between the foul and the goal may have saved him. The decision did cause a little bit of handbags amongst the players but there was nothing in it and the game continued.

Spain finally got an effort on target after 20-minutes when Andres Iniesta’s long effort was parried by Julio Cesar for a corner. The resulting set piece did find Fernando Torres but his header went wide.  Sergio Ramos was potentially lucky to also stay on the field when he cynically brought Oscar down on the edge of the box, although Oscar was already on his way down because Hulk’s ball through to him was a little over hit. It should have been 2-0 on 32-minutes when Brazil managed to break after Jordi Alba was guilty of giving the ball away. Neymar managed to thread a glorious ball through to Fred but the striker could only hit his shot at Casillas, who was able to parry it away.

Spain’s best chance in the whole match came four minutes before half-time. They managed to break two on one with Juan Mata rushing down the wing. Mata then fed the ball across for Pedro and the Barcelona man curled his effort around Julio Cesar. It was going towards goal, only for David Luiz to slide in and fantastically clear the ball off the line for a corner. This was arguably the game’s biggest ‘turning’ point.

Just three minutes later, Brazil had finally scored their second. It came from another break with Neymar again at the heart of it. He played the ball across to Oscar before the Chelsea man returned the favour, playing Neymar in down the line in the box. The player of the tournament managed to smash his effort in to the back of the net before Casillas had chance to react.

Spain needed something to build on in the second half. What they didn’t need was Brazil to score a third just two minutes in to the half to virtually end the game there and then. It was a move that began with Marcelo; it came off a Spanish foot before the ball fed in to Fred was side stepped by Neymar and Fred curled his effort beautifully in to the bottom corner.

Spain were offered a small chance of getting back in to the game on 54-minutes when Marcelo stupidly clipped substitute Jesus Navas, after just two minutes of being on the field, in the box when he was going nowhere. Ramos stepped up but managed to put his penalty wide, summing up the match for Spain.

Iniesta again tried to lift his team but his shot was straight at Julio Cesar. This allowed Brazil to counter and one ball over the top again beat the defence. But Casillas was quick to get off his line and prevent a fourth from going in. Marcelo would also have an effort from an audacious angle hit the side netting.

The final nail in the coffin came on 68-minutes when Spain went down to ten men. Neymar was bursting through once again and Pique dived in to stop the run on the edge of the box. The referee had no option but to send Pique off, much to wife, Shakira’s, dismay. Spain did try to give themselves something to cheer about but Julio Cesar was in fantastic form and fully deserved a clean sheet, ending Spain’s run in major tournaments in shocking fashion.

Earlier, there was the small matter of the third/fourth play-off between Uruguay and Italy. Italy took the lead on 25-minutes when Alessandro Diamanti’s free-kick dipped on to the post. The rebounded off of Fernando Muslera’s back before David Astori tapped the ball home on the line for his first ever goal. However, the decision to award Astori with the goal didn’t come until late in to the second half, so much for this fast goal line technology.

Uruguay equalised 13-minutes in to the second half when Edinson Cavani managed to curl the ball low around Gianluigi Buffon. Italy retook the lead on 73-minutes when Diamanti sent curled a great free-kick past Muslera. This ended up being out-done five minutes later when Cavani levelled once again with a brilliant free-kick of his own which gave Buffon no chance. Riccardo Montolivo would be sent off in the second half of extra time which meant he missed the penalty shoot-out. Mattia De Sciglio missed Italy’s first penalty before Diego Forlan and Martin Caceres both missed for Uruguay. Goals from Alberto Aquilani, Stephan El Shaarawy and Emanuele Giaccherini made it 3-2 with Uruguay needing to score their fifth and final penalty. Walter Gargano stepped up but it was saved by Buffon, which meant they claimed third place without the need for their fifth penalty.

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