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.
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