Spain 3-2 South Africa (aet)

Spain secured victory over hosts South Africa in the Confederations Cup third-place play-off courtesy of a Xabi Alonso extra-time free-kick.
South African substitute Katlego Mphela opened the scoring in the second half, lashing in a Siphiwe Tshabalala cross. 

Two goals in two minutes from Daniel Guiza seemed to have won it for Spain until Mphela crashed home an injury-time free-kick to force extra-time. 
But Alonso curled in a set-piece in the second period of extra-time to win it. 
For much of normal time this game was a typically drab third-place play-off, with European Champions Spain - whose 35-match unbeaten run came to a shock end against the United States in the semi-final - particularly lethargic. 
The closest either side came to a goal in the first half was a Matthew Booth snap shot that fizzed past the post for the home side. 
Spain were brighter in the second half, with Albert Riera forcing a smart save from Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune.
However, it was the home side who took the lead when Tshabalala was released wide left and his cross was firstly controlled by Mphela before being crashed into the roof of the net by the striker. 
It looked like being the only goal of the game until Guiza's late show. 
The substitute striker turned in a Santi Cazorla cross with his right foot into the bottom left-hand corner in the 88th minute. 
Barely a minute later he had put Spain into the lead, when what appeared to have been a cross beat Khune, clipped the far upright and went in. 
It appeared as though this would be enough to win the match for Spain, but with the final kick of the match, three minutes into injury-time, Mphela lashed in a spectacular 25-yard free-kick to extend matters by a further 30 minutes. 
In an understandably nervy extra-time, Liverpool midfielder Alonso had the final say, with a smart, curling free-kick that beat attackers and defenders alike to find the far right corner of the net. 

Spain: Casillas, Arbeloa, Albiol, Pique, Capdevila, Santi Cazorla, Alonso, Riera, Busquets (Llorente 81), Villa (Silva 57), Torres (Guiza 57).
Subs Not Used: Diego Lopez, Marchena, Puyol, Pablo, Xavi, Fabregas, Sergio Ramos, Mata, Reina. 
Booked: Busquets, Pique, Albiol, Llorente. 
Goals: Guiza 88, 89, Alonso 107. 

South Africa: Khune, Gaxa, Booth, Mokoena, Masilela, Pienaar (Mphela 64), Dikgacoi, Sibaya, Modise (Van Heerden 69), Parker, Tshabalala (Mhlongo 84).
Subs Not Used: Fernandez, Davids, Mdledle, Fanteni, Moon, Khumalo, Mashego, Gould, Baloyi. 
Booked: Pienaar, Mphela, Masilela. 
Goals: Mphela 73, 90. 

Att: 21,500 
Ref: Matthew Breeze (Austrailia).
www.bbc.co.uk

South Africa - New Zealand

Rainbow Nation is under a cloud. Team is feeling the pressure after failing to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time since the end of apartheid. They were playing WC qualifications, but results counted only for Cup of Nations, because Bafana Bafana directly qualified for World Championship as the host country. Only six points from seven games in group made a negative atmosphere in the country. Now, qualification for the semi-finals on Confederations Cup is the minimum target. Defence-minded coach Joel Santana is unpopular with the media, while two very important players, Benny McCarthy and Nasief Morris are moved from the squad ‘cause arguing with Santana. The hosts took only a point from Iraq game and Santana is accused again for defensive tactic against outsiders. Another draw would put them in the clueless position, facing the prospect of having to beat Spain to reach the semi-finals. Steven Pienaar is expected to start and to add some much-needed creativity to the side. Skipper Aaron Mokoena should recover from a shin problem.

New Zealand was considered as the weakest team on the competition, even before it started. Opening game didn’t change that impression. The All Whites are winless in their last six matches, with five defeats and one draw (Botswana, 0-0 on the road). They have lost all seven of their Confederations Cup games, scoring two goals and conceding 22. Coach Ricki Herbert says his side has a "burning desire" to win at least their first point in the finals of one Fifa competition. In the previous game, against Spain, squad managed to concede four goals for 24 minutes! Fortunately, Spanish side was satisfied with that, otherwise would be a real shame. The biggest problem for New Zealand is they used to play against teams like Thailand, Fiji, or New Caledonia. They planed to attack Spain(!?), before that in friendly scored three times against Italy (defeat 3-4), simply haven’t learnt to respect stronger. I expect from them attacking attitude, again. The main problem will be the “rusty” defence line, this time even weaker, without the skipper Ryan Nelsen.

South Africa is a big favorite (again). Santana will try to balance between his understanding of football logic and fans’ expectations about the first eleven. Usually, it means a big problem. They will attack, but New Zealand won’t defend. My choice is goals, before home win. Sunderlands offer 1.95, Expekt and the others 1.75. Over.

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