Confederations Cup 2013: Most Shocking Moments of This Year's Tournament

The 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup is about to come to a close, which means it's time to relive the best moments of the tournament.

Even though the four best teams advanced to the semifinal and the two best teams will face off in the championship match, there was no shortage of epic moments and shocking plays that are worth recounting and seeing again.

Let's take a look at the most shocking moments of the Confederations Cup.

Italy Tops Japan in Back-and-Forth Thriller

We knew that Group A would produce a handful of thrilling matches in the group stage of the Confederations Cup and it was Japan vs. Italy that proved to be the most exciting spectacle, with a back-and-forth thriller.

Japan would get out to an early 1-0 lead after a penalty shot in the 21st minute, but it was Shinji Kagawa who would score a beautiful turnaround rip that would put the Japanese up 2-0 and seemingly in control of the match.

But the Italians wasted no time making sure everybody knew they were still around, when Daniele De Rossi connected with a header off a perfect corner kick right before halftime that cut the lead to 2-1.

After the halftime period, Italy would notch a quick score from a one-timer in the six-yard box to tie it up.

Mario Balotelli got a penalty shot goal to give the Italians a 3-2 lead, but Shinji Okazaki made a brilliant run on a Japan corner to connect on an amazing header that tied things up yet again.

But in the 86th minute and with a draw looming, Italy took over with a Claudio Marchisio run that ended with a cross put home by Sebastian Giovinco.

It was a back-and-forth affair that proved to be the most exciting spectacle from start to finish.

Spain Edges Italy on Penalty Kicks

Goals were expected to be at a premium in the Spain vs. Italy semifinal showdown, with two suffocating defenses, but we also knew that each side boasted a strong attack as well.

We saw glimpses of both throughout the match.

Both teams seemed to put together some incredible scoring chances and each should've notched a goal in regulation. 

At the same time, the defenses were bending but not breaking, and goalkeepers Iker Casillas and Gianluigi Buffon were seemingly keeping their teams in it.

It's been quite a while since two teams of such international lore played in a scoreless affair, but don't let that detract from the excitement of this match. Personally, I thought it was as exciting as the Japan-Italy affair despite featuring seven fewer goals.

Both defenses ended up getting better when extra time started, meaning penalties ended up being a foregone conclusion. And what better way to decide this thrilling affair than to leave it up to the dueling goalies?

In the end, Spain got the edge in a thrilling penalty shootout and will face Brazil for the final, but it was such a close affair that it really could've gone either way. 

Late Goal Pushes Brazil into Final Over Uruguay

It was all too expected for Brazil to simply continue their cruise through the Confederations Cup when they faced Uruguay in the semifinals, but that was far from the case.

Brazil got a huge reality check in the 11th minute, when Uruguay failed to convert a penalty shot that would've given them an early lead. Up to that point, the host country was just dominated and looked unable to get anything going.

As the first half wore on, the Brazilian attack got its footing. By the 41st minute, a Neymar attack ended up giving Fred a rebound opportunity, which he buried into the net for the game's first score.

Coming out in the second half, Uruguay wasted no time generating offense and got into the box in the 48th minute. Multiple Uruguayans got a foot on the ball, but the Brazilian defense kept it out until it reached swift-footed striker Edinson Cavani. He slipped a finishing shot past Julio Cesar to tie things up at one goal apiece.

It was anyone's match at that point, but after a close Suarez free-kick opportunity and the inability of either team to get into the box, it seemed destined for extra time.

That is, until a corner kick found Paulinho in the 86th minute, putting Brazil up 2-1. They wouldn't look back.

Brazil's big win secured a date with Spain on Sunday and we can only hope that they produce a spectacle as entertaining as these three thrillers.