Brazil's Confederations Cup: They Came, They Saw and They Kicked Passes

The Confederations cup came to a scintillating end today with an exciting 3-2 victory by Brazil over an impressive team U.S.A.

A fitting final to a tournament of the highest level involving most of the world's best teams, champions of their respective continents.

They said Spain were the favourites but as it often turns out "they" got it all wrong.

Spain, also known as the Kiwi-killers in some parts of the world, were clearly benefited by an easy draw and crumbled when they came up against a team U.S.A which had just been through a crash course in football versus non other than the mighty Brazil.

U.S.A. 2 Spain 0. That's right Torres, this isn't EPL.

Egypt were impressive and represented the African continent with honor.

However the Pharaohs put everything into their first match versus Brazil, which ended 4-3 in favor of the latter, and their bench just could not maintain the same standard.

A football team nowadays can be made up of as many as 23 players. 

Brazilian coach Dunga illustrated this well playing every single player taken to South Africa save the two reserve goalkeepers.

Italy were brushed aside in the group stage after getting away with some controversial decisions versus the United States and the slimmest of victories versus a weakened Egypt, they were easily beaten by Brazil.

This was the second victory in a row by Brazil over Italy in recent times, with a tally which now totals five goals in two matches this year.

So much for Italy's long run without losing—when it rains it pours.

Bafana Bafana, South Africa to the rest of us, started off slow but grew in the competition managing to get past the group stage and placing fourth.

The Kiwi-killers, Spain, narrowly edged out South Africa in a well contested match which went all the way to extra time ending 3-2 in favour of the European Champions.

New Zealand were there for the experience and, well, they experience quite a lot absorbing seven goals without once scoring.

The Kiwis did manage to scrape up a point versus Iraq who were also sent home early but having only conceding one goal in three matches.

The stars of the show without a doubt were the mighty Brazilians.

An astounding 14 goals in five matches, conceding five goals on the road to becoming champions for an unprecedented third time. Yet another world football tournament is dominated by Brazil.

Before the tournament Luis Fabiano was asked how many goals he thought would be a good showing and he said five—one in every match.

Well it did not go one in every match but strangely he did end up scoring five and taking the golden boot award.

Kaka was voted the best player and U.S.A keeper Tim Howard the best goalie. Howard had earlier absorbed hell on earth as Brazil bombarded the American goal relentlessly having fallen 2-0 down in the first half.

Dunga's boys showed that they are indeed the greatest in the second half versus the U.S.A. Not many teams on earth would have the confidence and character to chase such a comeback against such compact and well organised opposition.

In the end the fans benefited, for such an entertaining final in a world class international tournament, is very rare indeed.