Confederations Cup 2013: Samba magic prevails over the Italians!

Italy 2-4 Brazil.

It was Italy vs Brazil in Taipava Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador. The biggest rivalry in international footbal. This time the Samba Boys prevail with goals from Neymar, Fred (×2) and Salvador’s own, Dante. A win tonight ensured that they most probably won’t have to face Spain in the semi final of the competition.

Prandelli made several changes to Italy’s lineup; Bonucci, Candreva, Marchisio, Abate and Diamanti replaced Barzagli, De Rossi, Maggio and Pirlo. Scolari made only one change to Brazil’s lineup, Hernanes for Paulinho.

The game started off at a frantic pace- the Italians looked shaky and Brazil were almost certain to score, but a save from Gigi Buffon to deny Hulk and a great clearance from Chiellini to stop Oscar ensured the score remained 0-0 in the early exchanges. The rest of the half was rather dull. It was spicy with silly fouls given away everywhere but the quality of football wasn’t good. There were slim chances at either ends, Brazil having more opportunities, but the forwards failed to produce a goal. Marcelo was lively throughout the half, looked to take on the defenders at every opportunity. Italy gave the ball away in their own half many times but thankfully for them, Brazl failed to capitalise.

Both teams were forced into making substitutions around the half hour mark after their players got injured. Giaccherini and Maggio replaced Montolivo and Abate for Italy. Dante replaced Luiz for Brazil. The local boy, Dante, was greeted well by the supporters.

There wasn’t much in the game until Candreva pulled down Neymar for a foul towards the end of the half. Neymar’s delivery fell to Fred, whose header was parried away by Buffon only to fall at Dante’s feet, who slotted home the opening goal in the dying stages of the first half.

The Dante goal changed the match. Italy came on into the second half with an intent, and Giaccherini equalised from out of nowhere, 5 minutes into the second half, after an amazing flick from Balotelli was put in his path. Neymar brought himself down on the edge of the box after tangling with Maggio in the 54th minute, the ref awarded Brazil a free kick. Neymar stepped up to take it, and he scored a beauty, into the top corner, though, Buffon could’ve done better. Brazil were back into the lead.

Both teams had a chance each after Neymar’s goal, but in the 65th minute, Marcelo released Fred with a great pass, who managed to outmuscle Chiellini and drilled it past Buffon to make it 3-1 to Brazil.

Chiellini brought Italy back into game after a bizzare goal. The ref had blown the whitsle right after Balotelli was fouled in the box by Dante, the ball fell to Chiellini who put it past Cesar and the ref gave it a goal.

Italy were attacking with renewed confidence; El Shaarawy came on for Diamanti, but nothing materialised for them. Maggio even hit the post with a thumping header following a corner, but the hosts held their nerves. In the 88th minute, Fred put the game to bed with a tap-in from close range after Marcelo’s shot from the edge of the box was parried away by Buffon. Nothing special happened after that, and the game ended 4-2 for Brazil.

In the end, the better team won the match. The absence of Pirlo and De Rossi cost Italy dearly.

Brazil top Group A with 3 wins out of 3, while Italy finish second with 6 points.