Spain set up a dream Confederations Cup final with hosts Brazil as they ousted Italy on penalty kicks tonight in Fortaleza after a 0-0 draw.
Jesus Navas scored the decisive spot kick in sudden death after
Leonardo Bonucci sent his attempt over the bar and into the stands.
It was a breathless end to a game that showed little difference
between two of Europe’s greatest teams. Combined, the sides converted
twelve straight penalties until Bonucci’s mistake, providing a tense
finish to a game played in stifling conditions at the Estadio Castelao.
After a stunning first half of action, the teams faded in the 90ºF
heat, before a helter-skelter extra time period set up Navas’
sudden-death winner.
But ugly scenes outside the stadium marred this match. A bus
carrying fans was attacked today en route to the Castelao, and seven
people were reported injured after police and army forces used tear gas
and rubber bullets against a crowd. 87 arrests were reported.
Protests continue to roil the nation, and questions must be asked
as to whether or not Brazil can guarantee the security of visitors to
next year’s World Cup.
Eighteen other cities also saw demonstrations tonight, and the center
of Rio was shut down by a march that many observers fear is just a
preview of what awaits Sunday’s final. Organizers have promised a major
demonstration outside the Maracana, and several trade unions are also
planning strikes.
This will make for as tense a final this weekend as the shootout was tonight, and it is anyone’s guess what will happen.
Using wing-backs to press Spain in midfield and up top, Italy
terrorized Iker Casillas for much of the early going. Emanuele
Giaccherini and Maggio routinely found space wide to cross in, and had
Giaccherini’s shot in extra time not hit the post, it might well be
Italy in Rio instead. But Italy proved profligate: De Rossi and Maggio
were both gifted free headers, and neither man was able to put them on
target. When Maggio finally stung Casillas’ palms – off service from
Giaccherini – it looked as though it might be one of those nights for
the azzurri.
As the game wore on, and Spain were able to shake off the midfield
pressure, Fernando Torres and Xavi were finally able to start
influencing matters. Torres would have one of the best chances when he
rounded Andrea Barzagli, but his attempt could only skate across
Buffon’s frame. He would combine with sub Jesus Navas to set up Gerard
Pique twice, and his runs late in the game drove Spain forward.
Both teams looked spent after the hour mark. Cramps hit. Players
started to walk. And you suspected that had ref Howard Webb allowed it,
the sides would have taken kicks right then at the final whistle.
The shootout showed just how professional, and how dangerous, these
teams are. One after another, the takers walked up to the spot, and
slammed the ball into the net. Casillas and Buffon never came close to
the ball, and it wasn’t until Bonucci’s unfortunate miss that the
deadlock would be broken. It was fair enough: Italy possibly shaded
Spain on the day, but the greatest teams usually find ways to win these
games.
The result now gives the South American teams a massive advantage.
Spain will come into Rio off a grueling match and on a day’s less rest.
Italy, in the same boat, will now play Uruguay in the unloved
third-place match in Salvador Sunday.
This is good news for the hosts – but perhaps bodes well for Spain.
If they win in Rio, against the backdrop of all that is taking place
here, there will be few who will deny that they are the world’s best.
The shootout showed just how professional, and how dangerous, these
teams are. One after another, the takers walked up to the spot, and
slammed the ball into the net. Casillas and Buffon never came close to
the ball, and it wasn’t until Bonucci’s unfortunate miss that the
deadlock would be broken. It was fair enough: Italy possibly shaded
Spain on the day, but the greatest teams usually find ways to win these
games.
The result now gives the South American teams a massive advantage.
Spain will come into Rio off a grueling match and on a day’s less rest.
Italy, in the same boat, will now play Uruguay in the unloved
third-place match in Salvador Sunday.
This is good news for the hosts – but perhaps bodes well for Spain.
If they win in Rio, against the backdrop of all that is taking place
here, there will be few who will deny that they are the world’s best.
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