Spain vs. Brazil: Rating Both Sets of Players in the Confederations Cup Final

Spain vs. Brazil certainly lived up to the pre-match billing as the Confederations Cup Final brought together the Spanish "tiki-taka" and the Brazilian "joga bonito."

Would we see an extension of the record 29-game unbeaten run from Vicente del Bosque's men, or would home soil prove advantageous to the men in yellow?

Any questions were answered emphatically by the Canarinho in what was a surprisingly one-sided affair—for once La Roja just couldn't impose their own passing game, and in truth, Brazil ran out worthy winners. 

Using the rating system below, let's take a look at how both sets of players fared in Sunday night's 3-0 game.

1—Absolutely awful

2—No production whatsoever

3—Very little production

4—Worse than average

5—Average performance

6—Above average

7—Good production

8—Very high production

9—Nearly perfect performance

10—Absolute perfection

Spain Goalkeeper and Defence

Iker Casillas: 5/10

Spain's captain didn't have his best game.

A poor kick on four minutes that went straight to the opposition was lucky not to be punished, and he was easily beaten at his near post by Neymar for Brazil's second. On his toes and out quickly for a couple of Brazilian breaks, he pulled off a world-class save on 31 to deny Fred another goal.

Alvaro Arbeloa: 2/10

An awful game for Alvaro Arbeloa, who was far too hesitant when in possession and more often than not gave the ball away far too easily. He was at fault along with Gerard Pique for the first goal and lucky to stay on the pitch after hauling Neymar over.

Gerard Pique: 4/10

Pique was ball watching again as the cross came in for Fred to score the first of the three Brazilian goals and was caught in possession far too often. He offered a minimal attacking threat, and his header from a corner on 58 didn't generate sufficient enough power to trouble Julio Cesar.

Leaden footed when Neymar whizzed past him, he had no option but to stick out the leg and receive a red card.

Sergio Ramos: 5/10

He started the match well, spreading play across the width of the pitch. A long-range free-kick on 22 was wasted. He dominated in the air on brief occasions and had the chance to put Spain right back in the match from the penalty spot—but failed.

Jordi Alba: 5/10

Nothing like the player we saw last season for Barcelona.

He did not make a single sortie forward in the opening 10 minutes and, like some other Spanish players, gave the ball away far too often in this one. Jordi Alba showed his defensive capability when he and Cesar Azpilicueta chased down Neymar to deny him what looked like a certain goal in the second half.

Brazil Goalkeeper and Defence

Julio Cesar: 6/10

Julio Cesar had nothing at all to do in the first part of this game, his first real save coming from a long-range Andres Iniesta shot that was going wide anyway. He was rarely troubled, but he did produce two stunning late saves first from Pedro and then from a David Villa curler.

Dani Alves: 7/10

Dani Alves closed down well, not allowing anyone time on the ball. He was very busy and industrious throughout. Alves got caught a couple of times when his forays upfield weren't adequately covered behind.

Thiago Silva: 8/10

Calmness personified. Easy to see on this performance why Thiago Silva is desperately wanted by Barcelona. Simply head and shoulders—in the literal and actual sense—above most of the other players on the pitch.

David Luiz: 8/10

Within two minutes, David Luiz had taken out Fernando Torres with a hefty challenge and sent a pinpoint long ball forward to start the attack that eventually ended up with a goal from Fred.

He was not fazed by Spanish trickery and was equal to everything Sunday night.

Marcelo: 8/10

Another who played with a lot of heart and guts and who was in amongst it all night. He escaped a legitimate handball shout but wasn't so lucky when fouling Navas for the Spain penalty on 53.

Spain Midfield

Sergio Busquets: 5/10

Sergio Busquets was caught in possession on a number of occasions in the opening half an hour. That he is normally the one doing such "dirty work" gives you an idea of the pressing which Brazil applied in this game.

He could do little about Brazil's constant attacking and settled back in defence after Gerard Pique was sent off.

Xavi Hernandez: 5/10

Brazil dominated the midfield areas in this match and appeared intent on not letting Xavi and Iniesta have any on the ball at all. Xavi's free-kicks and corners sometimes didn't even clear the first man.

Despite this, Xavi still showed the odd flash of class here and there when on the ball, regularly finding his man and moving Spain forward at every opportunity. 

Andres Iniesta: 5/10

As with partner-in-crime Xavi, we only saw glimpses of the Iniesta we know. A burst through the centre on 19 was finished by a shot that didn't really trouble Julio Cesar in the Brazil goal.

Iniesta played some nice one-touch stuff and was very tricky on the ball when pirouetting through the midfield on 35 minutes. His shot straight at Cesar on 57 should've seen Spain back in the game.

Brazil Midfield

Luiz Gustavo: 7/10

Luiz Gustavo xpertly closed down the spaces in midfield, not allowing any Spanish player in range time on the all. His long strides ate up the ground, and his scything down of Iniesta shows he's not frightened of putting the boot in.

Paulinho: 7/10

Efficient and hard-working, one of Tottenham's targets enjoyed a relatively trouble free evening. Some great forward movement and a wonderful chip on 12 minutes deserved a goal.

Oscar: 8/10

Oscar should've scored on seven minutes when clean through, but he too much time to think about it, chose the wrong option and snatched at the chance. He was lucky not to be booked on 26 when raking his studs down the back of Andres Iniesta's calf.

Neymar: 9/10

An all-action display from the youngster. Great movement, he was always bringing teammates into play. Neymar smashed home a wonderful goal on 44 minutes.

He was direct when in possession, and his pace and trickery left Gerard Pique with no option other than to foul him or concede a certain goal, hence Pique's red card for the foul.

Disappointing to see him still go down like he has been shot when being fouled, however.

Spain Forwards

Pedro Rodriguez: 5/10

Pedro Rodriguez was busy and lively throughout but squandered two wonderful chances. In the 40th minute, when David Luiz cleared off of the line, had Rodriguez shown more conviction, the ball would have nestled in the back of the net.

Cesar produced a stunning stop to deny the player again on 80 minutes.

Fernando Torres: 4/10

Fernando Torres got himself in the right positions Sunday night but was crowded out much of the time. Some tame headers from corners or free-kicks were all he had to show for a night's work. 

Juan Mata: 4/10

Juan Mata never really got into this game from the first whistle. Didn't matter on which side of the pitch he was playing, he found it incredibly hard to beat his man and whip a ball over. Poor passing was a feature of his play Sunday night.

Brazil Forwards

Hulk: 6/10

Not one of Hulk's best games, but not one of his worst either. Very forceful in possession of the ball, Hulk made a great break down the middle on 28 minutes that deserved better. He was disappointed with the resulting free-kick set up for him by Neymar a minute later, which he blasted high and wide.

Fred: 8/10

How Fred had the instinct when lying prone on the floor to hook up the ball over Casillas is anyone's guess!

He had the chance to further increase the lead but dragged a finish across goal on 24 and then missed with a totally free header on 32.

His second goal—Brazil's third—was well measured, and Casillas just couldn't get enough of a fingertip on the ball to push it wide.

Spain Substitutes

Cesar Azpilicueta: 5/10

The Chelsea man came on at half-time for the departing Arbeloa. He was caught out almost immediately as he was drawn in to the ball and left Fred unmarked behind him. As a result, Spain conceded the third of the night.

He was caught out again on 65 but redeemed himself on 77 minutes when he and Alba managed to catch Neymar just in time before the Brazilian tucked home an inevitable fourth.

Jesus Navas: 7/10

Jesus Navas was the best of the three Spanish substitutes. He came on for Mata on 51 and almost immediately tempted Real Madrid's Marcelo into conceding the penalty, which Ramos would go on to miss. Wonderful late run in the match, which ultimately petered out to nothing.

David Villa: 5/10

David Villa came on just before the hour mark for Torres, and within a few minutes, he almost got on the end of a great cross from Pedro. He tried to curl one around Julio Cesar in the Brazil goal, but the keeper was equal to it.

Brazil Substitutes

Jadson: 5/10

On for Hulk in the 71st minute, Jadson tried hard to get into the game but didn't really make too much of an impression, save for a couple of decent through balls and getting himself offside on a couple of occasions a few minutes after coming on.

Joe: 4/10

Hero of the hour Fred departed for Joe with 12 minutes left to play. Just three minutes after coming on, Joe broke forward with purpose. With Neymar in oceans with more room than himself, he chose to strike the shot. It was wasteful and his only meaningful contribution whilst on the pitch.

Hernanes: 4/10

The last substitution of the game—Hernanes for Paulinho on 86 minutes—came too late for the player to provide any sort of impact on the pitch.