FIFA CONFEDERATIONS CUP Brazil 3 Italy 0:BRAZIL PRODUCED a stunning first-half display en route to a 3-0 defeat of Italy that thrust them into the semi-finals of the Fifa Confederations Cup and eliminated the reigning world champions.
A Luis Fabiano double put them in firm command before an Andrea Dossena own goal completed the scoring on the stroke of the interval. Brazil will now take on South Africa in the second semi-final in Johannesburg on Thursday. The US will face Group A winners Spain in Bloemfontein one day earlier.
Brazil immediately took the initiative, thrilling the Loftus Versfeld Stadium crown with their customary flicks and dribbles. The chances soon arrived for the South Americans, with Ramires hitting the angle and Robinho testing Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon after nice link-up play with Kaka, who was predictably at the heart of the majority of his side’s breaks. It was one-way traffic and, after Lucio’s 30th-minute volley had been saved by Buffon, Luis Fabiano flashed a header wide following a pinpoint Maicon cross.
Fabiano made amends minutes later. Maicon cut inside from the left and unleashed a low shot, which the Sevilla striker intercepted before slotting the ball across Buffon and into the bottom corner. The striker got his and Brazil’s second on 43 minutes after excellent build-up from Robinho and Kaka, and the unfortunate Dossena turned into his own net on the stroke of half-time with Ramires lurking.
Italy woke from their slumber following the restart. First, Rossi’s fierce, swerving drive from 25 yards was parried by Julio Cesar. Then, De Rossi’s firm, low cross from the left was flicked goalwards by substitute Alberto Gilardino, forcing Julio Cesar into a reaction save, before Pirlo’s shot from the edge of the box was blocked by Lucio.
Azzurri continue to pressurise their opponents, winning a succession of corners that ultimately came to nothing, before Brazil regained control. Maicon and Robinho both missed chances to extend the five-time world champions’ lead, but Dunga will nevertheless have been extremely satisfied with his sides result.
The US, without a point and not much hope going into their final Group B game in Rustenburg, managed to pull off mission improbable and book a place in the semi-finals with a 3-0 win over Egypt.
Goals from Charlie Davies, Michael Bradley and Clint Dempsey combined with Brazil’s win booked an unlikely last-four place for the Americans, where they will meet Group A toppers Spain.
The Americans opened the scoring against the run of play in the 21st minute when Davies snuck in to take advantage of a fumble by goalkeeper Essam El Hadary to poke home from close range.
Bradley, the coach’s son, added a second in the 63rd minute and the all important third came from a flying header from Fulham man Dempsey in the 71st minute.
ITALY:Buffon; Zambrotta, Chiellini, Cannavaro (capt), Dossena; Montolivo (Pepe 46), De Rossi, Camoranesi, Pirlo; Toni (Gilardino 58), Iaquinta (Rossi 38).
BRAZIL:Cesar; Maicon, Lucio (capt), Juan (Luisao 24), Santos; Ramires (Josue 86), Silva (Kleberson 84), Melo; Kaka; Fabiano, Robinho.
Referee:Benito Archundia (Mexico).
EGYPT:Al Hadari; Fathi (Said 56), Said, Gomaa, Farag; Al Muhammadi, Shawky, Abd Rabou; Aboutrika; Abdelghani (Abougreisha 62), Eid Abdelmalek (Hassan 50).
USA:Guzan; Spector, Onyewu, DeMerit, Bornstein; Bradley, Clark; Dempsey, Donovan; Davies (Conor Casey 81), Altidore (Feilhaber 69).
Referee:Michael Hester (New Zealand).
