Confed Cup

Looking forward to seeing the brazilian supporters, one million plus, celebrating, I mean demonstrating in the streets demanding better education, health service and less corruption. Oh, yes: Spain to Win.

Great penalty shoot out, should lead to a great final?

A few players looked a bit cream crackerd after 2 hours in that heat !!!

Mista h

Should be a great final ,  ,,  

 Spain will have 90% possesion

Brazil will be Brazil ,

 The TV pundits will drool over Spain ,

Torress will miss a few sitters

naymar will fall over outside box a few times like he has been shot by the riot police outside .

2-1 spain in extra time

Superb penalties and so many into the left corner of the goal. Spain to win but home support may win through for Brazil.

Agreed with Kevin -- superb match!  Sunday's final should be great fun. As far as predictions go, it seems like a matchup of speed and skill versus teamwork and experience, and normally I would pick the latter, but... 

When's the last time Brazil lost at home? Who's the more rested team?

Agreed with TWP -- Neymar will take a few silly dives. In fact, given this is such a big stage, I bet he will draw a yellow for his troubles.  But I just don't see Spain's defense stopping him from getting a few good shots on goal...and I have a feeling that one or two will find the net.

I see a repeat of the semi-final. Spain (like Uruguay) may outplay Brazil, and they will definitely win on possession time, but all that counts is the final score...

Brazil, 2-1, in regulation.

Hook

PS - I also think Neymar feels he has something to prove to his future team members (9 from Barca are playing for Spain)!

Finally a very good match for Italy team,specially in the first half.Candreva&Giaccherini were superb.We just needed a second serious forward to score during the regular time.Balotelli took an earlier flight back to Milan...Waiting for Spain next year,when it counts.

Have taken a Glasto hiatus to watch the game. Fabulous stuff.

Awesome defending by Brazil's Luiz. This is sensational football. Anyone else watching?

You betcha I was watching!  Congrats to Brazil -- they outplayed Spain for the full 90 minutes, and at all positions.

There were quite a few memorable plays!  Fred's first goal.  The Oscar to Neymar goal.  Ramos's missed penalty kick.  Pique's red card (poor sad Shakira! :-)).  But I agree 100%, the play of the match was David Luiz's save. Amazing how he used his shin to pop the ball up and over the goal.  Mata must have been cursing himself for a lack of pace on his shot!  

As Italy showed, being aggressive is the key to beating Spain. The refs gave Brazil a few free passes on penalties though.  Had they set a different tone at the start, and handed out a few yellows, then Spain may have been able to find some space to get into a passing rhythm.  Obviously, they never did.

It was an amazing setting -- the mass of cheering fans inside Maracana, and the rioters just outside.  It was absolutely Brazil's day, and they do deserve full credit for the win, but I also think the Italian squad deserves a few thank-you cards... ;-)

ATB.

Hook

Spain have, I think, been psyched out by the crowd - and the early first goal.