Johannesburg, June 29 (DPA) Five-time world champions Brazil came from two goals down to defeat the United States 3-2 in the final of the Confederations Cup in Johannesburg.
Captain Lucio headed an 84th-minute winner after two second-half goals by Luis Fabiano Sunday to ensure a successful title defence for Brazil, who had been stunned by first-half goals for the United States from Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan.
The US came close to a first title in a senior FIFA competition, after taking a two-goal lead, but Brazil were rewarded for second-half pressure with Fabiano’s goals in the 46th and 74th minutes taking his tally to five for the tournament.
Bayern Munich defender Lucio then rose at the far post to head in a corner from substitute Elano to wreck US dreams and give the Selecao a third Confederations Cup title after wins in 1997 and 2005.
“This means everything to me,” Lucio said.
“When Brazil wins then I thank God. God is the only one who knows, I thank God for having the opportunity to give joy to the country.”
American captain Carlos Bocanegra said that their side had simply run out of steam.
“I think after putting in such a terrific first half performance, we simply ran out of steam in the second,” he said.
“The Brazilians just came at us and that is why they are some of the best players in the world. It is very difficult to withstand that kind of pressure.”
A capacity crowd in Johannesburg’s Ellis Park stadium saw Brazil begin strongly, but then go behind in the 10th minute when Fulham midfielder Dempsey opened the scoring as he neatly glanced in a cross from Jonathan Spector for his third goal of the tournament.
Donovan then stunned the favourites with a fine second on the break in the 27th minute, in which he fed Charlie Davies on the left on a run from inside his own half, took the return and cut inside Ramires before hitting a left foot shot past Julio Cesar in goal.
At the other end goalkeeper Tim Howard kept the US ahead with a series of fine saves as Brazil desperately tried to get back in the game.
Robinho, Felipe Melo, Maicon and Andre Santos were all foiled by Howard, but the Everton keeper could do nothing to prevent Luis Fabiano getting Brazil back in the game in the 46th minute.
Despite the close attention of Jay DeMerit, the striker swivelled on the edge of the area to find enough room to fire a shot past Howard into the corner of the net.
“I think it went through DeMerit’s legs. It was a tough one to take so early in the second half,” US coach Bob Bradley said.
“I am extremely proud. We continued trying playing forward but it still feels pretty lousy to let this one get away.”
Donovan said: “We are disappointed to get a goal so fast in the second half and then they came wave after wave, and they probably deserved their win – we realize why they are so good.”
Howard again came to the rescue when he dived to stop a Lucio header from a corner, but was fortunate when a Kaka header deflected off the keeper’s gloves onto the underside of the bar.
Kaka appealed for a goal and television replays showed the ball had crossed the line before Howard got to it but Swedish referee Martin Hansson waved play on.
After Kaka’s effort, there was some desperate defending by the US as the Brazilians began to dominate, but the Americans enjoyed a brief spell of possession midway through the half and first Donovan and then Dempsey tested Julio Cesar with shots from outside the area.
US resistance was finally broken in the 74th minute when Fabiano headed in after Robinho had turned a Kaka cross from the left onto the underside of the bar for his fifth goal of the tournament.
With six minutes remaining, Brazil clinched victory when substitute Elano swung in a corner from the right and Lucio rose to head powerfully just inside the far post.
Kaka said that the side was now looking forward to playing in the World Cup next year.
“Our first priority is to qualify for the finals,” he said.
“Then we must make sure that we avoid the excessive expectations which have sometimes followed us. We did well now, but there are many good sides.
“If we have good preparations, we will do well at the World Cup. We must make sure that we keep together as a group and if we are united then the results will come our way.”
He said he did not want to talk about Real Madrid, the club he will be joining for the new season, beyond saying that he was proud that he had won a first title as a Real Madrid player. “I hope that many more will follow.”
rounak