
Brazil denied the United States a shock victory by coming back from two goals down to win the Confederations Cup.
A Clint Dempsey flick and a Landon Donovan strike on the counter put the US into a surprise 2-0 half-time lead.
Luis Fabiano pulled one back for Brazil before Kaka was denied an equaliser when his header was wrongly judged not to have crossed the line.
Luis Fabiano's headed second levelled matters before, five minutes from time, Lucio nodded in a corner to win it.
After upsetting the odds so spectacularly with their 2-0 semi-final victory over Spain, the US almost tore up the script again, against opponents who had beaten them 3-0 in the group stage of the competition.
Predictably, favourites Brazil had the lion's share of possession, but the incisive football was played by the American underdogs throughout the first half.
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USA coach Bob Bradley:
"I'm extremely proud of my players, but it still feels pretty lousy to let this one get away.
"I hope though that people around the world see we have good team and great players and it is a big step forward."
Brazil coach Dunga:
"Even after we went 2-0 down the team was still sure of itself. We told them at half-time to play down the wings, keep patient.
"We did that, we have been together for 29 days and we were determined to win it.
"It is very difficult to overcome a 2-0 deficit, it is not easy, but if you have committed players who never give up then you have a chance and we came back in the second half. We showed a high level of professionalism."
USA: Howard, Spector, DeMerit, Onyewu, Bocanegra, Dempsey, Clark (Casey 88), Feilhaber (Bornstein 75), Donovan, Davies, Altidore (Kljestan 75).
Subs Not Used: Guzan, Califf, Wynne, Pearce, Beasley, Adu, Torres, Bradley, Robles.
Booked: Bocanegra.
Goals: Dempsey 10, Donovan 27.
Brazil: Julio Cesar, Maicon, Lucio, Luisao, Andre Santos (Dani Alves 66), Ramires (Elano 67), Felipe Melo, Silva, Kaka, Luis Fabiano, Robinho.
Subs Not Used: Victor, Juan, Kleber, Miranda, Josue, Julio Baptista, Kleberson, Alexandre Pato, Nilmar, Gomes.
Booked: Felipe Melo, Andre Santos, Lucio.
Goals: Luis Fabiano 46, 74, Lucio 84.
Att: 62,000
Ref: Martin Hansson (Sweden).
www.bbc.co.uk


USA came on this competition as clear outsiders. Two first games (Italy 1-3 and Brazil 0-3) just confirmed the dark predictions. But in the third game against Egypt (who had defeated Azzurri and lost narrowly to Brazil), Americans played a perfect game. Bob Bradley changed defensive 5-4-1 formation into 4-4-2. It resulted with three goals, by Davies, Michael Bradley and Dempsey, for a convincing 3-0 win. Brazil beat Italy by the same scoreline and USA became the first team in Confederations Cup history who qualify from the group stage with three points and a negative goal difference. Then they shocked Spain making the greatest win in their history. Although defending the entire game, USA used two big mistakes in opposite’s defence and brake Spain’s 15 games winning streak. Now, they’re just one step far from the trophy, but need one more miracle. Bob Bradley has to make one change, midfielder Michael Bradley is suspended after became the third American to be sent off during this tournament.
The defending champions are contesting their fourth Confederations Cup final. After a debatable start on the bench of national team, Carlos Dunga has instilled a level of discipline and tactic that, so far, give the tremendous effect. World Cup 2010 qualification is almost secured and in this Confederations Cup campaign they have looked extremely comfortable. They’re unbeaten in 15 games (eleven wins and four draws), seven wins in a row and kept 11 clean sheets during those 15 games. After the first chaotic game, against the Pharaons (4-3 win), Dunga consolidated the squad and they noticed three victories. Two convincing 3-0 wins (USA and Italy) and had some problems only in the semi-final (1-0 at the end). South Africa were defending the whole game and Brazil, although dominating, didn’t have the clue. Till two minutes before the end when Danny Alves scored from a free-kick and booked the ticket for the final. Dunga has no injury concerns, but several players looked tired in the semi-final after six games in 20 days. Mentioned Alves will probably substitute Maicon.









