Mexico’s forward Javier Hernandez (right) celebrates with defender Hector Moreno after scoring the second goal against Japan during their FIFA Confederations Cup Group A match, at the Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte, yesterday. RIGHT: Brazil’s forward Neymar celebrates after scoring against Italy in the Group A match, at the Fonte Nova Arena in Salvador.
SALVADOR DE BAHIA, Brazil: An inspired second-half showing from Brazil earned the Confederations Cup hosts a 4-2 win over Italy in Salvador yesterday to win Group A and avoid a potential semi-final meeting with Spain.
The dubious honour of facing the world champions in a Thursday semi-finals in Fortaleza is now likely to be Italy’s fate assuming the Spanish, with two wins under their belts ahead of their final meetnig with Nigeria, top Group B.
Brazil made it three wins in three games at the event to earn a probable semi-final with Uruguay in Belo Horizonte on Wednesday.
Brazil started looking like a side who had been energised not just by their opening wins and clean sheets against Japan and Mexico but also the waves of popular protest by citizens demanding better social policies and an end to state corruption.
Neymar scored for the third straight game, curling in a delightful free kickto give the home side the lead
Dante, who replaced the injured David Luiz, put Brazil ahead in first-half stoppage time but Emanuele Giaccherini levelled six minutes after the re-start after being sent clear by Mario Balotelli’s clever back-heeled flick.
With both teams already qualified for the last four from Group A, Neymar put Brazil back in front four minutes later and Fred added a third after he was found by Marcelo’s raking pass in the 66th minute.
A pulsating game took another twist when Giorgio Chiellini replied for Italy five minutes later with Brazil claiming the referee had already stopped play before the defender turned the ball in. Italy, who won their first two games, were caught on the break as Fred added a fourth in the 89th minute
Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari indicated he saw the pieces slowly falling into place although he has made the World Cup the overriding top priority rather than success this month.
“We beat a strong Italian team and I think this shows we are on the right road, even if there are a few things we need to improve,” said Scolari, mastermind of Brazil’s 2002 World Cup success and brought back last November for a second spell in charge of the Selecao.
“We mustn’t get carried away,” added Scolari, who earlier urged his compatriots to be patient with their demands for institutional reform.
Meanwhile, Manchester United star Javier Hernandez scored twice but missed a last-minute penalty as Mexico defeated Japan 2-1 on Saturday to leave the Asian side winless at the Confederations Cup.
Hernandez took his tally for the tournament to three as Mexico registered their first victory.
Hernandez, who had scored his team’s only goal of the competition in the 2-1 loss to Italy, opened the scoring in the 54th minute.
Twelve minutes later, Hernandez made it 2-0.
Japan pulled one back four minutes from time when Stuttgart striker Shinji Okazaki tapped in a simple chance. Agencies
