Brazil's great escape vs USA to win Confed Cup

USA's goalkeeper Tim Howard (right) fails to stop Brazil's Luis Fabiano (left) from scoring his second goal during their Confederations Cup final at the Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa last night. pics/ap, afp

The five-time world champions looked out for the count after Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan put the Americans two up at half-time but they bounced back with a Luis Fabiano brace drawing them level with 16 minutes left.

Exciting finale
It set the scene for an exciting finale and captain Lucio made it a memorable night with a powerful header from an Elano corner with six minutes remaining.

It was Brazil's third Confederations Cup crown following triumphs in 1997 and 2005 and coach Dunga was a happy man.

"All the players were very concentrated on what needed to be done. I told them at half-time that we needed an early goal and to play the game we play. We wanted to win. We were very determined," said Dunga, the World Cup winning captain from 1994.

"It is difficult to overcome a 2-0 deficit but if you have committed players who always want to win then it is possible.

"If we can win this we can do much more in the future. I believe in these players."

Brazil had won 14 of their 15 previous encounters with the US and beaten Bob Bradley's men 3-0 in the group stages. But since that match the US fortunes changed dramatically.

After trouncing Egypt 3-0 to sneak into the knockout rounds on goals scored after finishing equal of points and goal difference with Italy, they shocked European champions Spain 2-0 in the semi-finals.

But their luck ran out against Brazil.

"That defeat really hurt," said Bradley.

"I'm extremely proud of my players, but it still feels pretty lousy to let this one get away.

"I hope though that people around the world see we have good team and great players and it is a big step forward."

Spain finish third
Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso scored off a free kick to give Spain a dramatic 3-2 extra-time victory over South Africa yesterday in the Confederations Cup third place play-off.
Late in the second half Bafana Bafana (The Boys) striker Katlego Mphela struck twice for Spain within 60 seconds.

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