Confederations Cup - Alves late show puts Brazil in final

Eurosport - Fri, 26 Jun 09:14:00 2009

A late Daniel Alves free-kick gave Brazil a 1-0 win over a spirited South Africa side to set up a Confederations Cup final clash with the USA.

FOOTBALL Brazil full-back Daniel Alves celebrates after scoring a free-kick that put his team into the final of the Confederations Cup with a 1-0 win over South Africa in Johannesburg - 0

Seven minutes after coming on as an 80th-minute substitute, the Barcelona full-back (pictured) rifled an unstoppable free-kick from the edge of the penalty area that impressive keeper Itumeleng Khune was helpless to stop from nestling just inside the far post.

It was an excellent strike in a disappointing performance from Brazil, who were more than matched by a team that were a Benni McCarthy short of a good international side.

The opening 45 minutes was an evenly matched affair where the Bafana Bafana worked hard and gave Brazil little to work with.

The hosts looked on a similar level to their illustrious opponents and had the best chance of the first half when skipper Aaron Mokoena somehow headed over from close range after he arrived unmarked to meet Teko Modise's right-wing free-kick.

While they were cautious in attack and lacked the confidence to release the quick final balls needed to punish Brazil, Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar rasped a drive towards goal that was expertly tipped behind by Julio Cesar.

Brazil had chances through Ramires and Kaka that were both smartly saved by Khune, but they could not establish either their traditional attractive passing rhythm or the defend-and-counter tactic that coach Carlos Dunga recently established.

The second-half followed a similar pattern.

A low shot by Modise forced an excellent stop by Julio Cesar after it took a wicked deflection off Luizao that wrong-footed the Internazionale shot-stopper.

Just after the hour mark Robinho sent a bicycle kick just wide, the Manchester City man improvising after a Luis Fabiano cross was blocked into his path.

The next 25 minutes were very quiet in terms of chances, although both sides toiled in the face of stout defending.

Brazil seemed short on ideas and inspiration, with even Kaka and Robinho struggling to show their usual flair against a defence that was superbly marshalled by Matthew Booth.

But they got their break when, with four minutes remaining, Mokoena fouled Ramires on the edge of the box.

Alves, who came on for the poor Andre Santos, stepped up and showed his class to put the favourites in Sunday's final.

South Africa, meanwhile, face the unenviable task of a third-place play-off against European Champions Spain.

Reda Maher / Eurosport

Comment 41 - 60 of 60

Sort comments by: Most recent

  1. yeah yeah its very sad very sad our brother michael­ jackson is pass away..dont u guyz feel sad i said very­ sad....i wsh mchael was playing football for south­ africa is one of akind...bless him...nway good luck to­ brazil and USA..PLZ brazil win the confederecao copa­ for michael jackson R..I..P

    From Ibn A, on Fri 26 Jun 9:25PM

  2. regarding the finals, momentum is with USA and watching­ Brazil match yesterday, there would be no surprise US­ lifting the trophy. i believe with more composure from­ SA upfront they would have won.well me loves underdogs,­ so you know who to win.

    From victorcud, on Fri 26 Jun 12:50PM

  3. USA all the way

    From Damien, on Fri 26 Jun 10:16AM

  4. 60.About comment 57, It pains me to see people who­ instead­ of commenting on the topics under discussion­ try to­ bring something totally different. Thats why I­­ commented on that ...thank God the comment was not­­ shown!

    From Geoffrey,

    Geoffrey,Geoffry
    CALM DOWN,­ ITS ONLY AN ADVERT lol...Micheal Winner

    From darren m, on Fri 26 Jun 9:25AM

  5. Who the F u CK did peter pan the peado play football­ for?
    Now take you child molester comments back to the­ celebrity news blogs
    GO ON F U CK O FF
    YOU BUNCH OF­ MOLESTER WORSHIPING T WA TS

    From darren m, on Fri 26 Jun 9:24AM

  6. About comment 57, It pains me to see people who instead­ of commenting on the topics under discussion try to­ bring something totally different. Thats why I­ commented on that ...thank God the comment was not­ shown!

    From Geoffrey, on Fri 26 Jun 9:07AM

  7. Maicon is an excellent player, but Daniel Alves is just­ something else.He must be the favourite in the Brazil­ starting XI.What a shame that the mistakes of Real­ Madrid and Liverpool players did not allow a final­ pitching Barca against Barca...Anyway,save that for­ next year's World Cup.

    From stavros h, on Fri 26 Jun 9:05AM

  8. well done Bafana bafana that was brilliant i kow­ everyone expected Brazil to walk all over us, but we­ showed them we are not and easy team to beat especially­ at home withour vuvuzelas. spein be careful the fire is­ coming. word of warning to the teams in SA group"­ you don't wanna be in that group" we'll­ smash you

    From hadebesabelo, on Fri 26 Jun 9:03AM

  9. Hey, I'm an open minded girl from UK, I'm­­ interested in exotic things, photography, dating and­­ sports...I have my photos on --- SeekTall Co m ---, I­­ love tall guys!
    Do you love traveling and have some­­ experience? Just find me out.

    From robomile01, on Fri 26 Jun 8:52AM

  10. Good Luck to Brazil! They will need lots of luck­ agaisnt USA! About the death of Michael Jackson, very­ sad indeed and may his soul rest in peace. There was­ talk that the real Michael Jackson died a long time ago­ and this one was an imposter. How true was this rumour­ guys? Please guys shed some truth to me.

    From Geoffrey, on Fri 26 Jun 8:47AM

  11. SARRAY A DINNAE KNOW WERE THOT CAME FRAM.

    From Donney, on Fri 26 Jun 8:37AM

  12. FACK THA POPE OD AL HES MERAY MON.

    From Donney, on Fri 26 Jun 8:36AM

  13. LACK OT THA STATE A THON BYE AN THA PACTURE. YEED FINK­ HE WASH AN PAIN.

    From Donney, on Fri 26 Jun 8:33AM

  14. This years confederations cup has been quite­ magnificent with all the shock surprises. If the World­ Cup will be anything similar to this then we're all­ in fro treat. There's nothing better then watching­ the underdogs play with such will and determination and­ push the more experienced football superpowers to their­ limit. Well done to Bafana Bafana as the hosts they­ really gave it their all maybe if Benni McCarthy was­ their they could have even won, Brazil I think pulled­ off a great escape and will probably be more prepared­ to face the US but I'm sure it will be an exciting­ game.

    From Dex Genius, on Fri 26 Jun 8:26AM

  15. we are all hurt by the Death of our King of Pop-musik.­ the Man from African roots will never be forgoten! I­ salut you my herrooooooo, and may your soul rest in­ peace.!!

    From Nambili, on Fri 26 Jun 8:08AM

  16. Yea, Brazil might have been overrated against South­ Africa but it is the small difference that separates­ the two sides. At the end of the day the winner takes­ it all

    From Turinawe, on Fri 26 Jun 7:47AM

  17. The death of my childhood hero Michael Jackson has­ dumpened my spirit and have no power to discuss soccer­ any more until further notice.May his soul rest in­ peace.

    From mushilit, on Fri 26 Jun 7:44AM

  18. @Yormia (#29) - Well said. Booth is a big fan­ favourite here in SA, he's probably on more posters­ and adverts than even Pienaar! Keith must have been­ terribly slow on the uptake coz this a fire that people­ tried to fan a week ago after the first game. ­ Especially the Spanish media was quilty of that (I­ heard).

    How good was Tshabalala last night! Teko ran­ his socks off, but still he hasn't hit the hights­ that we know he can. Parker is excellent, but we are­ indeed a Benni short. Does Benni deserve to come back­ after all that he put us through? I don't­ know.

    About Sunday though.... I almost feel like we­ (SA) are going in the 3rd place game as favourites. If­ you where Spanish wouldn't you also just want to go­ on holiday? Bafana Bafana will be gunning hard for a­ win!

    From rysselbyrail, on Fri 26 Jun 7:41AM

  19. Michael Jackson was the King of POP. I must confess­ that his death came as a great shock to me and millions­ of Nigerians. May his soul rest in perfect peace. Amen

    From Gee, on Fri 26 Jun 5:40AM
  20. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Hey, I'm an open minded girl from UK, I'm­ interested in exotic things, photography, dating and­ sports...I have my photos on --- SeekTall Co m ---, I­ love tall guys!
    Do you love traveling and have some­ experience? Just find me out.

    From robomile06, on Fri 26 Jun 5:14AM
Sort comments by: Most recent

Not already a Yahoo! user ? to get a free Yahoo! Account