Brazil Win 2013 Confederations Cup

3-0

Host nation Brazil won the 2013 Confederations Cup by beating Spain 3-0 in the final.  Although Spain is the top ranked team in the world, under the circumstances of tonight's match, they never had a chance.

Just to reach the final Spain had to endure a grueling overtime match against Italy that was eventually decided in a shoot-out.  Brazil had an extra day of rest before the final and of course had the enormous support of the fans as the host nation.

And that support was directly translated onto the field.  Especially in the first-half, all the calls by the referee went in Brazil's favor.  Two yellow cards were issued to Spanish players, Arbeloa and Sergio Ramos, while Brazil got away with a number of fouls that went unbooked.  Later in the second-half Pique was sent off with a straight red card after a foul on Neymar, who was running away from goal.

Brazil were the better team today though, and understandably so with their motivation to win.  The citizens of Brazil have been quite unhappy about the recent build up to next year's World Cup, protesting for the last two weeks.  The players knew that the protests were towards the government, not the teams, and by winning the tournament they would at least give the people something to celebrate.

There is still a lot of work ahead for Brazil, both for the team and the nation as a whole.  Winning today is certainly a step in the right direction and hopefully it will give the people something to believe in.

Spain vs. Brazil in Confederations Cup Final

7-6Pen 

Spain and Italy met today in the second semifinal of the 2013 Confederations Cup.  Spain defeated Italy last summer to clench their second consecutive European title in a 4-0 victory.  Today the score-line was much tighter as neither side managed to score after a full two-hour match.

Over the first ninety minutes Italy were the better team and kept Spain from playing their usual high-possession football.  Italy's Maggio and Giaccherini were making plays all over the field, while Spain's Xavi and Iniesta were unable to string together passes like we are accustomed to seeing.

After regulation the momentum changed, however, as Spain began to put the pressure on Italy and create almost all the scoring chances.  The weather seemed to be the real deciding factor though.  The heat and humidity took its toll on the players from both sides and the quality of play was visibly diminished.

With neither team scoring after the two-hours of play, a penalty shootout would determine the winner.  The first six shooters for both Spain and Italy finished from the spot, and it came down to a miss over the crossbar by Bonucci that gave Spain the final advantage.  Navas was the last shooter for Spain giving them a final 7-6 score in the shootout.

Spain will face host nation Brazil in the final on Sunday and it will be interesting to see if the number one team in the world will have anything left in the tank for this battle of football titans.

Brazil Head to Confederations Cup Final

2-1

South American neighbors Brazil and Uruguay met in the semifinals of the 2013 Confederations Cup.  Brazil were perfect in the group stage of the tournament, beating Japan, Mexico, and Italy.  Today Uruguay gave them a tough test and Brazil were lucky not to fall behind early in the match.

Defender David Luiz conceded a penalty after he was caught pulling down Uruguay's Lugano during a corner-kick.  Diego Forlan elected to take the penalty shot, but Brazilian keeper Julio Cesar blocked the shot and kept the game scoreless.

Near the end of the first-half the deadlock was broken when striker Fred put Brazil in front.  Neymar first poked a shot at goal and, coming off his line, Uruguay keeper Muslera parried it away.  The block did not clear the box though and Fred was able to finish the loose ball on an empty net (41').  

Uruguay were quick to equalize after the half-time break thanks to a poor decision by Luiz Gustavo.  Rather than just sending his clearance far down field, he tried to pass out of the back.  Unfortunately his pass went right to Cavani who seized the opportunity and leveled the score (48').  

The goal energized Uruguay and the match looked like it could go either way.  In the last moments of the game though, Brazil pulled back in front.  From a corner-kick, Paulinho won the header at the back-post and scored the deciding goal (86').

Brazil will face the winner of the other semifinal of Spain against Italy on Sunday.  A lot of pressure is on Brazil as the host nation to win, and the final promises to be an exciting match whoever they may face.

Altidore At It Again

1-0

Honduras travelled to Utah to play the United States in a World Cup Qualifier.  Team USA were not especially threatening in the first-half and only put one shot on target.  Clint Dempsey and Michael Bradley handled the midfield relatively effectively, but it was the striker Jozy Altidore who came through once again for the United States.

Late in the second-half fullback Fabian Johnson was able to make a cutting pass inside the box that Altidore was able to run onto an strike cleanly for the only goal of the match (73').  

The United States remain on top of their group, and look like they will qualify for 2014 World Cup in Brazil.  Up next is a friendly against Guatemala before the next qualifier rematch against Costa Rica.

More Misery for Mexico, Lose to Italy

1-2

Mexico and Italy squared off in Rio De Janeiro today in their first matches of the 2013 Confederations Cup.  Italy got off to a better start and were first on the board thanks to a perfect freekick by the veteran Pirlo.  From about twenty-five yards out, Pirlo was able to lift the shot over the wall and get the ball to dip back down, upper 90º (27').

The lead was short lived as Italy conceded a penalty when defender Barzagli fouled Mexico's Dos Santos in the box.  Hernandez then finished form the spot to level the score (34').  Aside from scoring the penalty though, Hernandez was quite ineffective today and had only one other shot on target.  Dos Santos and Guardado were more involved throughout, but the Italian defense was too strong and shut down Mexico's attack for the remainder of the match.

The match was there for Italy's taking, and late in the second-half Mario Balotelli delivered the game-winning goal.  Giaccherini was able to flick a ball into the path of the striker and Balotelli powered through defender Rodriguez to get the shot away (78').  Not surprisingly Balotelli earned a yellow card for his celebration (taking his shirt off) but he was quickly substituted to make sure he was unable to see another card.

Brazil Open Confederations Cup With Win

3-0 

The 2013 Confederations Cup kicked-off today with host nation Brazil taking on Japan.  The Confederations Cup is like a preview/warm up for the 2014 World Cup and Brazil won the previous tournament in South Africa, beating the United States in the final.  As the host nation, there is a lot of pressure on Brazil and their young superstar Neymar who just signed a huge deal with Barcelona this off season.

The young forward got off to the perfect start today, scoring a fantastic goal on the first shot of the tournament.  Fullback Marcelo delivered the service that was brought down with a chest-trap by Fred at the edge of the box.  The chest-trap was laid off perfectly for Neymar who blasted a volley shot past the keeper for the only goal of the first-half (3').

Similar to the first-half, Brazil grabbed another goal just minutes into the second-half.  This time from the right side, fullback Dani Alves played a driven cross into the box that Paulinho was able to settle with his first-touch before firing a shot at goal.  The shot was towards the middle of the goal, but Japanese keeper Eiji Kawashima was slow to react and allowed the ball to slip under him and into the net (48').

One final goal was scored in stoppage-time for Brazil when Oscar was able to drive down the field and get defender Uchida turned around.  Oscar then slipped substitute Jo in-on-goal for an easy finish and a final score of 3-0 (90 +3').

Tomorrow Mexico will face Italy, then World Cup Champions Spain will take on Uruguay for two very exciting matches.

US Coast Past Panama in World Cup Qualifier

 2-0

Team USA were lucky to come away with in a win over Jamaica thanks to a late goal by substitute Brad Evans.  Today against Panama, team USA were much more convincing, winning 2-0.

Playing in Seattle, the US had a rather easy time dealing with the Panama attack as they put nothing on target until the final moments of stoppage-time.  Panama were forced to drop back for most of the match allowing team USA to work possession and attack the Central American visitors.

Michael Bradley initiated the first goal of the match when he played Fabian Johnson into space on the left flank.  The winger then crossed the ball to the far-post for Jozy Altidore who finished easily to put the US ahead (36').

After half-time team USA added a second goal when Eddie Johnson was played in behind the Panama defense by a great ball over the top from Geoff Cameron.  Eddie Johnson timed his run perfectly to stay on-sides and finished a clean shot to put the US further ahead (53').

The US are now on top of the CONCACAF group and face Honduras next week.  Nothing is assured, but as it stands the US look like they are destined for a trip to Brazil in 2014 World Cup