FCBARCELONA.CAT

28.06.2009 22:40

Brazil win Confederations Cup (2-3)

www.fcbarcelona.cat

Brazil have won the Confederations Cup after beating the US in the final 2-3 and coming from two goals down to do it. Alves played for 30 minutes and contributed towards his team’s victory.

Brazil had to be on top form to overcome a strong US team which took a two nil lead by half-time. Both sides produced excellent entertainment for the fans at Ellis Park. The US were the better side in the first-half but with Alves on the pitch from the 65th minute onwards, Brazil proved superior in the second and deserved their win.

US shocks Brazil

The US had an excellent first 45 minutes. Solid at the back and very effective on the counterattack, they played as well as they did in their semi-final with Spain. Brazil dominated territory but the US controlled the game and took the lead in the 10th minute when Dempsey scored from a Spector cross.

Inspired Howard

Brazil came roaring back and Howard did well to keep out a Robinho effort. Brazil wanted the equaliser while the US were still looking to hit on the break and just when the South Americans seemed to be controlling the game, an excellent US counterattack by Davies and Donovan saw the latter make it 2-0.

Brazil were shell-shocked but could still have pulled one back only for an inspired Howard to deny first André Santos and then Robinho before half-time.

Brazil battle back

Straight after the restart Brazil finally managed to narrow the gap when Luis Fabiano stuck home a Maicon centre in the 46th minute. Brazil were much more effective than in the first 45 minutes and peppered Howard’s goal. In the 65th minute Barça’s Alves came on for Andrés Santos to play at left-back and add depth to Brazil’s attack.

In the 74th minute, Luis Fabiano, the best of the Brazilians, made it 2-2 after Robinho’s shot came back off the bar. Brazil then went looking for the winner before extra-time and got it in the 85th minute when Lucio headed an Elano corner home. The goal knocked the stuffing out of the Americans who were unable to force the game into extra-time. The result gives Brazil their fourth Confederations Cup and the second in a row after Germany in 2005.