Brazil stamps class in Spain's annihilation
July 2, 2013, Tuesday
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ANY doubts that Brazil is serious contenders for next year's World Cup were swept away by a majestic 3-0 victory over world champion Spain as it won the Confederations Cup in front of an ecstatic crowd at the Maracana Stadium on Sunday.
Inspired by Neymar and Fred in attack, David Luiz at the back and the indefatigable Paulinho thundering around the midfield, Brazil ended Spain's record run of 29 unbeaten competitive matches and brought back memories of its glory days with its fifth straight win of the tournament.
It began with a scrappy goal from Fred after some shocking Spanish defending in the second minute, went 2-0 ahead when Neymar lashed an unstoppable angled left-foot shot past Iker Casillas a minute before halftime, and wrapped up the match and the title when Fred plundered a third with another angled shot two minutes after the re-start.
A crucial stop from Luiz after 41 minutes was vital to the victory, however.
With Brazil 1-0 ahead and Spain beginning to finally make an impact, the world champion looked set to equalize with a Pedro shot that had beaten goalkeeper Julio Cesar. But with the ball about to cross the line, Luiz sprinted from nowhere, stuck out a leg, and diverted it away for a memorable clearance.
"I owed that one to Julio Cesar after giving away the penalty against Uruguay," he told reporters. "I managed to pay back the debt and help the team."
Three minutes later Neymar scored at the other end and Spain was on its way to its first competitive defeat for three years. Sergio Ramos, who scored in the semifinal penalty shootout victory over Italy on Thursday, fired wide with a poor penalty after 54 minutes. Then fellow defender Gerard Pique was sent off for a lunge on his new Barcelona teammate Neymar, who again stole the show and was named Player of the Tournament.
(Reuters)
Inspired by Neymar and Fred in attack, David Luiz at the back and the indefatigable Paulinho thundering around the midfield, Brazil ended Spain's record run of 29 unbeaten competitive matches and brought back memories of its glory days with its fifth straight win of the tournament.
It began with a scrappy goal from Fred after some shocking Spanish defending in the second minute, went 2-0 ahead when Neymar lashed an unstoppable angled left-foot shot past Iker Casillas a minute before halftime, and wrapped up the match and the title when Fred plundered a third with another angled shot two minutes after the re-start.
A crucial stop from Luiz after 41 minutes was vital to the victory, however.
With Brazil 1-0 ahead and Spain beginning to finally make an impact, the world champion looked set to equalize with a Pedro shot that had beaten goalkeeper Julio Cesar. But with the ball about to cross the line, Luiz sprinted from nowhere, stuck out a leg, and diverted it away for a memorable clearance.
"I owed that one to Julio Cesar after giving away the penalty against Uruguay," he told reporters. "I managed to pay back the debt and help the team."
Three minutes later Neymar scored at the other end and Spain was on its way to its first competitive defeat for three years. Sergio Ramos, who scored in the semifinal penalty shootout victory over Italy on Thursday, fired wide with a poor penalty after 54 minutes. Then fellow defender Gerard Pique was sent off for a lunge on his new Barcelona teammate Neymar, who again stole the show and was named Player of the Tournament.
(Reuters)
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