Confederations Cup Recap and Highlights: Brazil and USA (yes, USA!) go Through

June 21st, 2009 | by: Laurie |

Okay, show of hands. Who, before today, predicted that USA — with one goal (a penalty), zero points and an excruciating -5 goal differential up to this point — would progress out of the group stages ahead of World Cup winners Italy and African champions Egypt?

Anybody? You, there, in the back? No?

Yeah, me neither.

For that to happen, Italy would have to lose by three to Brazil, and Egypt (a team I’ve always considered underrated) would have to lose to the US by a similar score. Improbable, right? Maybe even impossible?

And yet that’s exactly what happened.

In Egypt-USA, Egypt came in a little flat after losing Mohammed Zidan to a hamstring injury in the Italy game, and they never quite found their stride. And the US showed up ready to play, then had their confidence boosted by a fluky 21st minute Charlie Davies goal when Egyptian goalkeeper Essam el Hadary was taken out by his own player. And after that they never looked back. Further goals by Michael Bradley (on a Landon Donovan assist) and Clint Dempsey.

The US will have to hope they haven’t used up their miracle quota, because now they play Spain in the semis.

And in the other match, Italy had a night to forget. They especially won’t want to think much about a ten-minute period at the end of the first half, when Brazil scored all three of their goals. Although they did have some help from Andrea Dossena, who capped off the half with an own goal, put in like he meant it.

Ouch.

I caught a lot of the replay, and outside of those ten minutes, Italy had plenty of opportunities and didn’t really look bad. It’s just that Brazil looked better. And (dare I say it?) younger. Robinho and Luis Fabiano in particular looked on fire, and Italy had nothing to match that. I think we may be seeing some housecleaning (and maybe younger players?) in this team before World Cup.

And here’s what the semifinals will look like:

Spain vs. USA, Weds., 6/24
Brazil vs. South Africa, Thurs. 6/25

International Football News – World Cup Blog RSS Feed

http://hull.theoffside.com Matt

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
http://www.blueshirtbanter.com Rob

I didn’t predict it, but I always knew there was a chance as long as the US got 1 in the first half. They did that, and I’m glad I watched the game.
Arminius

I agree with Matt’s eloquent statement.
http://www.footballiscominghome.net Futbol2010

Two things: Italy is ageing. And they had no proven goal scorer on the field.
On the US: They turned up.And tackled, and challenged for balls. And attacked.
On miracle quotas: I think it is a Spain vs Brazil final. And on current form, Brazil (who leads in South American qualifiers and had a tougher group) should win.

Nice site.
http://a-league.theoffside.com/ Kieran

Which means, and no offence USA and South Africa fans, the most likely final is Spain vs Brazil, exactly what we we’re all looking forward to. GO DAVID VILLA!
Weston

well i wanted either italia of the US of A to go through and i suprisingly got the latter.
Scott

I never suspected everything would fall into place. I figured we would win but only by maybe 1-0 or something like that.

To think everything just worked out how it needed to…

Awesome, they better at least make an effort against Spain. I’m sure for most of the world it’ll be an uninteresting game, but for us here in the US, I can’t wait to see how they fare.

Thank god Dempsey moved more centrally. The guy was so uninterested the entire game and he is a fine player. Bradley needs to really figure this team out because he still doesn’t seem to understand them mentally. It doesn’t look like everyone has the same motivation or confidence on the field, they’re all over the place. Pleeeeease Bradley, learn and adapt so we at least stand a chance against Spain (Los Conquistadores!)
mike

one word about italy’s performance:
PATHETIC.
or as DiDi would say
“ITS A F*CKING DISGRACE”
http://startingeleven.blogspot.com/ Mike

So head-to-head means nothing in the Confederations Cup. That’s pathetic. How is that not the first tie-breaker? If I’m Italy, I’m pissed.
http://startingeleven.blogspot.com/2009/06/starting-eleven-football-blog-roundup_22.html
David

Well, it has always been goals for as the second tie-breaker. Italy could have done with a little more defense.

Anyway, it is all to see who gets to lose to Spain anyway. ;)
MoMONEY

Typical Egypt… Great talents and potential + horrible mentality, coaching, and discipline…
Johnny1987

Who could have been so wise, so analytical, with so much for-sight and intuition about the beautiful game of soccer to call the US going on to the second round?

Who?

This guy.

http://www.worldcupblog.org/world-football/your-2009-confederations-cup-predictions-please.html#comments

All i needed was for Italy to lose. I thought we were going to hand them that loss, honestly. The world champs came thru in the end though and lost, and i do appreciate that… on a sad note, we were their only win.

Now whos ready for Spain? they were last beat by Romania, and we are way better then Romania, so we got a chance right?

U-S-A U-S-A U-S-A

PS its sad that half (or way more) of the people who commented with a prediction were from the US, and from what i saw i’m the only one who had us coming out of the round?
http://france.worldcupblog.org Laurie

PS its sad that half (or way more) of the people who commented with a prediction were from the US, and from what i saw i’m the only one who had us coming out of the round?

Johnny, I would guess that most of those are fans who saw the Costa Rica game. I certainly did not have hope after that one.
http://france.worldcupblog.org Laurie

P.S. South African hookers? The US thanks you from the bottom of our hearts.
Johnny

Laurie – On the same thought, do we know who is hooking up Spain with the escorts tonight?

Ya know, since it seems a solid strategy at this point.
Eduardo

Good luck USA :P
Fokai Futbol

player was offside drawing the keeper when dani alves took free kick. goal should have been disallowed. where was the offside flag?
nino

wow, wow what a game we should be prode of the USA TEAM WOW.
SEE YOU IN THE WORLD CUP.