Champions:Brazil skipper Lucio holds up the Confederations Cup after his team beat USA 3-2 in a tense final played at Ellis Park, Johannesburg. (Pic courtesy of: MTN Football)
Brazil desperately clawed back from being 2-0 down against a defiant USA, to claim a surprising 3-2 victory in a nail biting Confed Cup final played at Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg, last week Sunday.
Fresh from sinking the Spanish Armada in the semi-finals, team USA nearly caused a second upset when they were 2-0 ahead by the end of first half
USA was quick to apply pressure with Clint Dempsey scoring the opening goal less than 10 minutes after kick off.
The Americans onslaught against the Brazilian defence was relentless, and 27 minutes into the match captain Landon Donovan put one past Brazilian goal keeper Julio Cesar.
A surprised Brazil launched an impressive counter-attack but US goal keeper Tim Howard's saves were just as impressive, blocking all attempts by star striker Luis Fabiano to equalise in the first half.
Brazil's performance in the second half was stunning and they were quick to turn it on the Americans.
Brazil desperately clawed back from being 2-0 down against a defiant USA, to claim a surprising 3-2 victory in a nail biting Confed Cup final played at Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg, last week Sunday.
Fresh from sinking the Spanish Armada in the semi-finals, team USA nearly caused a second upset when they were 2-0 ahead by the end of first half
USA was quick to apply pressure with Clint Dempsey scoring the opening goal less than 10 minutes after kick off.
The Americans onslaught against the Brazilian defence was relentless, and 27 minutes into the match captain Landon Donovan put one past Brazilian goal keeper Julio Cesar.
A surprised Brazil launched an impressive counter-attack but US goal keeper Tim Howard's saves were just as impressive, blocking all attempts by star striker Luis Fabiano to equalise in the first half.
Brazil's performance in the second half was stunning and they were quick to turn it on the Americans.
Fabiano didn't waste any time and scored Brazil's opening goal about 40 seconds into the second half, narrowing USA's comfortable 2-0 lead.
On the 60th minute Brazil was infuriated after being denied an equalizer when the ball appeared to have bounced between the cross bar and goal line. Action replay revealed that the Brazilians were actually cheated a goal.
USA's luck was short lived though as Fabiano finally balanced the score a few minutes later,making him the tournaments top goal scorer.
With the battle field evenly leveled, the match grew tenser as both sides battled fiercely for a late goal.
The ice breaker came from a Lucio header in the 84th minute, giving Brazil a 3-2 lead by the end of 90 minutes.
The Samba Boys are the 2009 Confederations Cup champions.
Writing By: Mooketsi Nthite
On the 60th minute Brazil was infuriated after being denied an equalizer when the ball appeared to have bounced between the cross bar and goal line. Action replay revealed that the Brazilians were actually cheated a goal.
USA's luck was short lived though as Fabiano finally balanced the score a few minutes later,making him the tournaments top goal scorer.
With the battle field evenly leveled, the match grew tenser as both sides battled fiercely for a late goal.
The ice breaker came from a Lucio header in the 84th minute, giving Brazil a 3-2 lead by the end of 90 minutes.
The Samba Boys are the 2009 Confederations Cup champions.
Writing By: Mooketsi Nthite
