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

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  1. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    donney - 19 - aye, with you there mon!

    From pegez, on Thu 25 Jun 10:33PM

  2. keith you are MENTAL get help!!!

    From Mirek P, on Thu 25 Jun 10:26PM

  3. Landon Donovan is not overrated!!

    From Gabriel H, on Thu 25 Jun 10:23PM

  4. robinho is indeed a waste of a player. nilmar (who is­ probably signing with MU for this season) should have a­ chance.
    brazil will easily crush US on Sunday.

    From namoxil, on Thu 25 Jun 10:19PM
  5. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Sorry mirek thats rubbish, No other player had his name­ "chanted" all we heard was air horns­ constantly. Nice try, but you are trying to cover up­ reality.

    From keith.mehaffey, on Thu 25 Jun 10:18PM

  6. BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOTTTTTTTTTTHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH­ H

    From emilio, on Thu 25 Jun 10:15PM

  7. keith.mehaffey - I believe his name is Booth, and thats­ what the fans are calling him. Not Boo, but Booth.

    From Albert O, on Thu 25 Jun 10:12PM

  8. IM FINKIN AV GETAN A BRAZILIAN.

    From Donney, on Thu 25 Jun 10:12PM

  9. keith: they said BOOOOO becouse his name is Booth :-))­ no no racism ... they LOVE him

    From Mirek P, on Thu 25 Jun 10:07PM

  10. I actually found myself rooting for RSA. Brasil were­ mince. Both teams can beat the septics, but it'd be­ funnier if the Bafana Bafana beat them in the final.­ Might shut them up. Oh well - Brasil it is and no way­ US will get lucky again, although I said that against­ Spain.

    ALves is over-rated and Brazil have been @#$%­ since Dunga took over, maybe longer

    From pegez, on Thu 25 Jun 10:03PM
  11. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Good game but no one has commented on why the only­ white player in the south african team was booed by his­ own fans every time he got the ball??!! Sorry but this­ is racism and has no place in modern life. So sorry­ south africa, but im glad you went out, i dont like­ racists, nor does the rest of the world. South African­ racism extends to blacks just as much as whites. Shame­ on you all, its not what Mandela would have wanted...­ pigs.

    From keith.mehaffey, on Thu 25 Jun 10:01PM

  12. GO USA!!!

    From , on Thu 25 Jun 10:01PM
  13. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    VERY LUCKY BRASIL!!

    From , on Thu 25 Jun 10:00PM

  14. Does anyone else think Robinho is a waste of space,­ everything he touched the last 2 games turned to Kack

    From greg, on Thu 25 Jun 10:00PM
  15. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    I heard that there is an inter esting place for all h O­ t g irls and guys,
    seems it is named: ___Bigtalls Co­ M___ ,if u want to find some fun or lov ers, please­ have a try !!!

    From clarkzhang33, on Thu 25 Jun 10:00PM

  16. MadoX: I hate whiny loser in sport which comes with­ "it wasn't fair"!!!! Yes it was, it is­ sport and the better once win - Spain also want saying­ booooooh it wasn't fair, but well done - get real­ man!

    From Mirek P, on Thu 25 Jun 9:47PM

  17. South Africa deserved better luck... Brazil was gifted­ a cheap free kick that was 9/10 of a goal. If they play­ like this on Saturday, the Cup will go to the US.

    From DaGringo, on Thu 25 Jun 9:46PM

  18. yes good fight but it really come to un/experience!!­ Brazil will win the Cup again - amazing!! btw. the lost­ will make Spain just stronger and every team on the­ world will face a formidable Spain in 2010 just wait­ and see...

    From Mirek P, on Thu 25 Jun 9:44PM
  19. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    wasn't fair...

    From MadoX, on Thu 25 Jun 9:39PM

  20. South Africa played well- we are proud of you..... well­ done brazil though

    From francoisduplessis1, on Thu 25 Jun 9:37PM
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