Confederations Cup: Brazil Outclass the United States and Egypt Stun Italy

Egypt 1 - Italy 0 (Confederations Cup, June 18, 2009) (Longer highlights here.) After a goalless first half (extended highlights here) Egypt took the lead over Italy five minutes before the break with a fine leap and header from Mohamed Homos. Rene Gattuso lost his shorts at the start of the second half. In the closing stages Italy piled on the pressure, but Egyptian goalie El Hadary proved up to the task making a series of quality saves to keep out the Azzurri.

United States 0 - Brazil 3 (Confederations Cup, June 18, 2009) (Longer highlights here.) Brazil broke the deadlock against the United States after just six minutes, Arsenal target Felipe Melo met Maicon’s free-kick to powerfully covert with a header. In the 19th minute Brazil scored an outstanding goal on the break, Beasley was guilty of miscontrolling a pass from Donovan from a US corner and, after a great touch from Kaka near the halfway line, Ramires streaked away towards the goal before teeing up Robinho for the straight-forward finish. (First half highlights here.)

Tim Howard saved the Americans at the start of the second half with a fine save to deny Kaka. But then matters worsened for the US, Sacha Kljestan saw red and in the 62nd minute Brazil grabbed a third as Maicon, Ramires and Kaka combined superbly before Maicon capped a brilliant display firing high into the roof of the net. To the Americans credit they never stopped trying and Benny Feilhaber was unlucky to see his rasping drive smack off the underside of the bar.