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Featured Sport News

Brazil and Spain still shine

Author: Brandon Barker
Date: 24/06/2009

The Confederations Cup may be seen as an unnecessary tournament in an already packed football calendar but this month's World Cup warm-up event has seen its fair share of shocks and good football.

The competition has now reached the semi-final stage and, if everything goes by the form-book, Brazil will play Spain in the final, which wouldn't make a bad World Cup Final in just over 12 months' time.

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Brazil must first get past hosts South Africa, who managed to sneak into the last four despite losing to Euro 2008 winners Spain 2-0 in their final group game.

The Bafana Bafana qualified as runners-up in a very weak group after drawing 0-0 with Iraq and beating New Zealand 2-0, but seem certain to be brushed aside by a Brazilian side that boasts the talents of Kaka, Robinho and Alexandre Pato.

Carlos Dunga's side have recovered from a nervous start to the tournament which saw them pushed all the way by Egypt, before eventually edging to a 4-3 win thanks to Kaka's last-gasp penalty controversially awarded by referee Howard Webb.

Webb initially appeared to signal for a corner after Egypt's Ahmed El Mohamady handled the ball on the line but then sent off the defender and gave the penalty.

FIFA rejected Egypt's claim that Webb took advice from the fourth official who may have seen a TV replay of the incident, but the controversy at least added some spice to a tournament that tends to go under most football fans' radar.

Egypt seemed certain to be involved in the semi-finals when they beat World Cup holders Italy, but an unbelievable set of results in the last round of fixtures saw them eliminated and USA qualify instead.

The Azzurri bowed out of the competition after producing an inept display in a 3-0 defeat to Brazil while Egypt contrived to lose 3-0 to the Americans.

That meant the USA finished second in the group. They had the same goal difference as Italy, but crucially had managed to score one more goal than Marcello Lippi's side.

It was Fabio Cannavaro's 126th appearance for his country as he drew level with Paolo Maldini's record, but it was a night to forget for the captain as Italy conceded three first-half goals for the first time in over 52 years.

Only Gianluigi Buffon's brilliance kept the scoreline down as Italy became only the second reigning world champions to exit at the group stage of the Confederations Cup.

Brazil's display ensures they are now the sportsbook favourites to win the tournament for the third time and second in succession although Spain seem certain to push them all the way.

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