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.