United States vs Brazil Highlights: Confederations Cup Final

Clint Dempsey sobbed as the Americans walked up to get their second-place medals, unable to hide the pain and the disappointment of not holding onto the lead and winning a final in which they were so close.

The euphoria of knocking off Spain last week disappeared on Sunday in the Confederations Cup final when Brazil unleashed its “Beautiful Game.”

After dominating the five-time World Cup champions in the first half, the Americans were left powerless as Brazil scored three goals in the final 45 minutes to rally for a 3-2 win.

Luis Fabiano scored twice for Brazil, and Lucio added the decisive third in the 84th minute to give Brazil its second straight Confederations Cup title and third overall. The American men fell short in their first final of a FIFA tournament,however the experience was invaluable.

Almost sure to qualify for next year’s World Cup, also in South Africa, the Americans certainly saw the benefits of playing this game. What hurt them most was the way they lost it.

As the Brazilians gathered in a circle and jumped up and down in celebration, the Americans remained on the field, watching in silence. Many climbed up to get their medals with their heads bowed, and there were less smiles in sight.

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Spain vs South Africa Highlights: Confederations Cup

Xabi Alonso’s superb free-kick in extra-time enabled Spain to see off the plucky challenge of South Africa and clinch third place in the Confederations Cup.

European champions Spain, whose 35-match unbeaten run came to a shocking end against the United States in the semi-finals, seemed to be lethargic for much of the encounter and appeared to be heading for another defeat when Katlego Mphela put Bafana Bafana ahead after 73 minutes. But two goals in the last three minutes from substitute Daniel Guiza turned the match around only for Mphela to send the game into extra-time with a blistering free-kick.

Spain sealed it when Liverpool midfielder Alonso curled a 107th-minute free-kick from the left into the area which eluded everyone and landed in the bottom right-hand corner.

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South Africa vs Brazil Highlights: Confederations Cup Semis

Barcelona right-back Daniel Alves broke South African hearts with an 87th-minute free-kick for Brazil that dumped the hosts out of the Confederations Cup with a narrow semi-final victory in Johannesburg.

The Barcelona right-back, who only came on for the closing stages of the game, smashed in a powerful 18-yard set-piece from the left to stun a huge crowd at the Ellis Park Stadium after their side had performed impressively for most parts of the game.

However, the hosts eventually fell short and will now meet Spain in the third-place play-off on Sunday, while the Selecao will face the United States in the tournament finale.

Bafana Bafana, who can take heart from the display, were handed a massive boost before the start after striker Bernard Parker passed a crucial late fitness test and they looked inspired during the early stages with Steven Pienaar and Teko Modise bossing the midfield.

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Spain vs United States Highlights: Confederations Cup Semis

The footballing world will surely take notice of this. The U.S. soccer team has reached the final of the Confederations Cup, beating mighty Spain 2-0.

Spain, the European champion, had set an international record with 15 straight victories and had tied with Brazil for a record unbeaten streak of 35 games from December 1993 to January 1996..

Even more stunning, the Americans were on the verge of elimination and ready to pack their bags last weekend before a reversal of fortune. On Wednesday, goals by Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey led to an upset of the world’s top-ranked team.

Altidore scored in the 27th minute and Dempsey added a goal in the 74th as the Americans became the first team to defeat Spain since Romania in November 2006.

Now the U.S. will play defending champion Brazil or host South Africa in Sunday’s final, which concludes a two-week tournament designed to prepare the organizers for next year’s World Cup.

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