Brazil-United States Recap

Brazil 3 – 2 United States

If there was ever a match that was a tale of two halves it would be this one. Brazil came back from a valiant U.S. effort and two goal halftime lead to win its third Confederations Cup. Luis Fabiano scored twice and Lucio scored the game winner to complete a spectacular comeback. In the end, the best team did win this tournament.

The first half saw the Brazil that made an appearance in the South Africa match continue their run of play. They were a little lethargic and careless with the ball. Both of the U.S. goals in the half came from counters that Brazil was slow to respond to. Gilberto Silva lost Dempsey for the first goal. Landon Donovan made Ramires look terrible on the second, although the defense was nowhere to be seen on that play.

After the second U.S. goal, Brazil asserted themselves to the point that you could just feel it in your stomach that a comeback was going to take place. From this point on, and into the second half we were threatening non stop. The match official did not credit Kaka for a goal that Tim Howard saved inside the goal, which at that point would have equalized the match. However the Brazilian bombardment continued and eventually Luis Fabiano tied things up midway through the second half.

This was a match in which the beautiful game was ever so present. Eric Cantona will have to make another commercial for Nike after this match. Credit Dunga for bringing on the well time subs of Elano and Dani Alves, which really helped open things up more than it already was the case. If U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard did not have several world class saves, Brazil could have easily put five on the board in this match. We put up 24 shots on the Americans and controlled possession throughout the match. However, the U.S. deserves a lot of credit and our respect for a great performance in this tournament. Americans need to wake up and get behind this gusty team.

When all was said and done, the world has been put on notice, if it was not before, that Brazil is determined to bring a sixth championship home next summer.

Player Ratings:

Julio Cesar, 7, Made a couple of fine saves, could not do much on the U.S. goals if you ask me.

Maicon, 6.5, I thought I was watching an England match with all those crosses he was firing into the box in the first half. He assisted on the first Fabiano goal. His giveaway lead to the second U.S. goal.

Luisao, 7.5, I almost didn’t believe Luisao was out there. I could not believe my eyes. He was a wall in the second half after a couple of clumsy moments in the first half.

Lucio, 7.5, He scored the game winner. Although he is not my man of the match, he is my man of the tournament for Brazil. Barring injury, he has reaffirmed his place in the central defense for next year.

Andre Santos, 6, He did not play awful, but had an average match. Dani Alves looks like he will take over this position.

Ramires, 5.5, Landon Donovan made him look silly on the second U.S. goal. He gave the ball up too much, and was replaced by Elano.

Gilberto Silva, 6.5, He lost Dempsey on the first U.S. goal, but had a very solid second half.

Felipe Melo, 7, He had a pretty silent first half, but his play went to another level in the second, looking like a seasoned veteran of the team.

Robinho, 7.5, Played a good match from start to finish. Nearly scored on what eventually was Luis Fabiano’s second goal.

Kaka, 8.5, He was world class tonight. He should have been credited for a goal that Howard saved from inside the goal. I was surprised the sideline official could not see where Howard was standing. If he plays like this next summer Brazil will come home with the World Cup.

Luis Fabiano, 9, He never quits. Its about time people start ranking him as an elite striker.

Subs:

Dani Alves, 7.5, Did a nice job at a position he never plays.

Elano, 7.5, Played well after coming on for Ramires

ESTADOS UNIDOS 2 x 3 BRASIL

US: Howard, Spector, Onyewu, Demerit e Bocanegra; Clark, Feilhaber (Kljestan), Dempsey e Donovan; Altidore (Bornstein) e Davies.

Técnico: Bob Bradley.

Brasil: Julio César, Maicon, Lúcio, Luisão e André Santos (Daniel Alves); Gilberto Silva, Felipe Melo, Ramires (Elano) e Kaká; Robinho e Luís Fabiano.

Técnico: Dunga.

Gols: Dempsey, aos 10, e Donovan, aos 27 minutos do primeiro tempo; Luis Fabiano, a 1 minuto e aos 29, e Lúcio, aos 39 minutos do segundo tempo.

Cartões amarelos: Bocanegra (EUA), André Santos, Lúcio e Felipe Melo (BRA). Cartão vermelho: -.

Estádio: Ellis Park, Joanesburgo.

Data: 28/06/2009.

Árbitro: Martin Hansson (SUE).
Auxiliares: Henrik Andren (SUE) e Fredrik Nilsson (SUE).

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