2009 Confederation Cup Final

USA 2 – 3 Brazil

What a match. Brazil came from being 2-0 down to win the match and the Confederation Cup trophy.

U.S. who lost to Brazil 3-0 in the group stage opened the match without fear of their opponents. The five time world champions found them-selves under attack and ten minutes into the match the USA went into the lead.

Jonathan Spector’s cross found Dempsey who directed the ball past Julio Cesar into the net. Brazil answered with attacks of their own by Maicon, Robinho and Kaka but Tim Howard was unbeatable.

Than an another shock for Brazil. In the 27th minute Donovan received a pass from Davies and beat the Brazilian goalie and the USA was leading the mighty Brazilians 2-0.

Things were looking like we may have an another surprise win in front of us. But Brazil is not five time world champs for nothing. One minute into the second half and Luis Fabiano scored his fourth goal of the tournament.

Brazil was now a totally different team fully controlling the action. Luck was on side of the U.S. after Kaka’s shot ended in the net but Howard knocked it out and the referee ruled it as no goal.

Luis Fabiano leveled the score in 74th minute with a rebound ball after Robinho’s shot hit the bar.

With attack after attack it was a matter of time before Brazil would score again. The moment came in the 84th minute when Lucio after Elano’s corner kick scored the winning goal.

The USA played some of the their best soccer in the last three matches, holding their own against the power-house of South America.

Maybe just maybe if they didn’t concede their first goal so quickly in the second half, the outcome could have been a different. It was the U.S. first ever Confederation Cup final appearance. “I think people around the world see that we have a good team, we have good players,” Bradley said.

Goalie Tim Howard who did some of his best goal-tending ever received the Golden Glove as the best goalkeeper of the tournament. The Golden Shoe went to Luis Fabiano and the Golden Ball to Kaka.

Earlier today Spain barely beat host South Africa 3-2 to earn the third place. The match went into extra time and it was Xabi Alonso who scored the winning goal in the 107th minute.

“It was a match of equals and the team could have won. Spain was lucky,” said Bafana Bafana coach Joel Santana.

• Winner: Brazil
• Runners-Up: USA
• Third: Spain
• Fourth: South Africa