Look at this joker

"I just thought I'd support Brazil and Honduras, bro, cause like Brazil isn't playing. I know this guy from Brazil though, and I got this flag so, put two and together, bro... I'll take off these glasses, but I'm not saying sorry."

1-0 States at the half. Clarence Goodson gets up and over on a Stuart Holden corner. That's how you get some looks.

States rise to No. 12 in latest FIFA Rankings

The United States unlikely run in the Confederations Cup has lifted its star to No. 12 in July's FIFA rankings, their highest showing since dropping from No. 5 to 16 between June and July of 2006, due to an abysmal showing in the World Cup.

The world rankings show a lot of volatility. The biggest winner is the Ivory Coast, which rose 20 spots up to No. 18 in the world. Denmark, Serbia and Australia made notable runs into the Top 20 as well.

The biggest loser? Turkey dropped from No. 12 to No. 28 after a loss to France and a win over Azerbaijan. Iraq and New Zealand also lost a lot of ground after bowing out in the first round of the Confederations Cup.

Brazil is the new No. 1, with Spain and Holland each dropping a spot, to 2 and 3, respectively.

More analysis after work, but here's a nice nugget from FIFA: Australia (16), Gabon (30), Grenada (88), Montenegro (98) and Antigua and Barbuda (105) have ascended to their highest spots since FIFA starting the ranking system in 1993.

Pride and Going Forward: States fall in Final

There are a lot of bridesmaids in world soccer. Take the World Cup, for example, a tournament which only seven teams have won. If you toss in the Confederations Cup, only two more nations are added.

This, of course, is little consolation to the average American hoping to grasp onto soccer, and of just a bit more to the established US Soccer fan. That the Yanks played brave soccer against a team that hadn't lost in 15 matches is worth contemplating. For three games, the States were a fine representation of the guts and class America wants out of its athletes, and it's important to remember that they had nice stretches in the two red-card-aided losses to Italy and Brazil.

Again, heathens will point to the shot disadvantage, wantonly ignoring that the American side went up 2-0 and chose to defend rather than continue attacking. The philosophy is the real thing to question here, but this was America's first dance in a FIFA Final, and we learned plenty. The States stepped up and continued to attack in the first 30 seconds of the second half, but you can argue that they played their soccer too guarded after Brazil's counter stunned them one minute in. Expect them to learn from this, though I'd argue they were simply outclassed in the final half.

Against a Brasilian Selecao with top-club starters on their bench, the Yanks came out fearless and brought true athletic valor to their play. It was brilliant, albeit short-lived, and you simply have to be excited for the States' expected return trip to South Africa in 2010.

So if you're asking me, feel free to sound the vuvuzela and salute your soccer team, States. Even FIFA's recap used the adjective "brave" to describe the inner strength of the red, white and blue. From the Egypt game onward, they showed a refusal to stop fighting, and even an error-filled half-hour in the final shouldn't tarnish your pride. It simply isn't choking against a team like Brazil, and shame on you if you want to label this runnes-up finish that way.

The goals:

-- States 1, Brazil 0 -- Clint Dempsey with a creative side kick off a beautiful Jonathan Spector cross, and how far have we come from Game One of this tournament, when Spector appeared to be outclassed and Dempsey a passenger. Dempsey still had little to offer defensively, and that's something to speak of moving forward, but not right now.

-- States 2, Brazil 0 -- Charlie Davies left-footed pass on a long 1-2 was splendid, and Donovan's touch to shoot looked awkward but was wonderful. His left-footed side-panel rip was pretty, and he was celebrating before it was in. True strikers know those sorts of things.

-- States 2, Brazil 1 -- Brazil counters the States early attack with terrific transition play, and Luis Fabiano makes a brilliant turn before blasting a ground rip through Jay DeMerit's legs and past Tim Howard.

-- The "non-goal" -- How Kaka's 59th minute effort inside the six wasn't called a goal is kinda absurd, but that's a tough call to make. If the official had called it a goal, there is no way we could argue against it, either.

-- States 2, Brazil 2 -- One of the few time we can criticize Carlos Bocanegra and Oguchi Onyewu, and it's the worst time for the States. Bocanegra whiffed on a potential clear -- though of course slow motion makes it look easier than it would've been -- and Gooch wrongly assumed Howard would snag the Elano's blast, and let Fabiano step in front. At this point, it was hard to envision the Yanks coming back.

-- Brazil 3, States 2 -- The US' spot kick bugaboo is their undoing. Lucio gets over Dempsey, who apparently thought he was marking a small child. A great header, a perfect header, a heartbreaking header.

The stars, and the criticism...

-- Tim Howard was named goalkeeper of the tournament, and how could any player possibly be chosen as better class. As early as the 12th minute Howard was responsible for keeping US hopes afloat with a wonderful save of a Robinho strike.

-- It would be too dramatic to call Jay DeMerit's play a "revelation," but the 15-times capped American used the Conf. Cup to exhibit the skills, smarts and leadership that lead him to be named captain of Watford, a second-tier team in England. Even if Brazil's first goal came through his legs, he's a tough nut to crack, and the Spector/Boca/Gooch/DeMerit backline is quality.

-- Landon Donovan, a.k.a. PK Lando, responded brilliantly after a miserable couple of games, and you can be genuinely proud of the American star. While he'll need to show it consistently, No. 10 showed himself to be a world class talent, and his "it's me" moment while touching the US crest on his kit after goal No. 2 is worth noting.

--Kaka truly looked like the best player in the world. Charlie Davies' 54th minute bear hug coverage of the Brazilian star on a free kick is emblematic of the respect the new Real Madrid player deserves.

-- The difference in depth was underscored when Daniel Alves entered. The Barcelona man was outstanding in so many ways after entering in the 66th minute.

-- Onyewu came so close to equalizing in the 87th minute off a Donovan corner.

-- I do not understand the Bob Bradley's Conor Casey obsession, even in the absence of Brian Ching. He hasn't done much for me yet.

-- I like John Harkes as a color man. I don't get the hate.

-- Sometimes Landon Donovan makes faces that make him look like Hilary Swank.

-- Night soccer is stunning in HD.

What's next...

The next time the novice fan sees the States team, he will see the equivalent of a "C" team, but this will not be mentioned by mass media. Only seldom-used subs Freddy Adu and Luis Robles, as well as new star striker Charlie Davies, will be in the fold for the Gold Cup. It's a shame because a nice run in that tournament will be pretty impressive, and losses understandable, but those bitter 40-year old men terrified of losing their jobs will have precious little patience.

US Gold Cup dates (all LIVE on Fox Soccer Channel):
July 4- vs. Grenada at Qwest Field in Seattle (6 p.m. EST)
July 8- vs. Honduras at RFK Stadium in Washington (9 p.m. EST)
July 11- vs. Haiti at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro (7 p.m. EST)

P.S. I love the Lionel Messi commercial, even if I don't think it makes much sense. The Atomic Ant!

Soccer gets in the way of soccer

Give a moment of angst-explanation before I preview this afternoon's contest, please.

I have had zero complaints up to this point about my appointment as play-by-play voice of the Buffalo Flash, the local womens professional soccer club. They generally win, and I have a tremendous time calling the game with former Rutgers player Oliver Petersen, an Arsenal supporter and Brit by birth.

That was until today, when America's lack of true love for soccer has kicked me square in "The Family Matters." In many nations, the 3 p.m. kickoff for the Flash and Hamilton Avalanche (televised Monday and Tuesday on TW-13 in WNY) would be move so the soccer-adoring public could watch their national team battle traditional power Brazil.

In this case, however, the Flash have no true reason to touch the start time -- their 300-500 fans are more folks that come out for local soccer than anything since the Buffalo Blizzard played their brand of indoor madness at the Aud years ago, and these casual red, white and blue supporters can DVR their little hearts out.

My British cohort will be doing the same, but I can't wait that long. I will need to get text updates from my teammates, who will be watching the game together while I broadcast. Then, I'll have to hear about the game for a couple more hours while my mens team, Baker's City FC, tries to score a second major upset in a row. Finally, after a beer or two, at 9 p.m., I can sit down to watch what could be up for debate as the greatest moment in the history of American soccer.

In no way am I complaining about being paid money to watch soccer. C'est la vie. Go States!

--- As for the FINAL... ---

As for this afternoon's Confederations Cup final, I'm going to take the easy way out and say that while I generally do believe in miracles, losing Michael Bradley to a wrongly-given red card is going to give the US even more fits than usual when it comes to the 2 p.m. kickoff. Kaka and Luis Fabiano have a certain chance to give the US defense fits, and Bradley's absence will help nothing.

For the States to win, they will need more superior marking from Carlos Bocanegra, and another fabulous game from Oguchi Onyewu. Expecting Tim Howard to play mistake-free has become a near-certainty. You never say never after Wednesday, but I'd prefer to see the Yanks refuse to run with Brazil early, and attempt to dictate some of the pace, which would be a more-than-minor victory in itself.

Then again, if the US put up a performance like no other they've done offensively, and Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan both played unparalleled in ball movement, this could be a high-numbered classic. If you forced me to select an outcome, it'd look something like this:

Brazil strikes about 25 minutes in after a decent "feeling-out" period, with the world's No. 5 team surprised to see a different States team than they faced a week ago. They strike again 10 minutes later, but the US answers just after half. Trailing 2-1, the Americans have a handful of second half chances, but Brazil pokes one home with under 10 to go to claim the hardware with a 3-1 victory.

Needless to say, I hope I'm horribly incorrect.

--- Third place game thoughts ---

Barring late dramatics, you can't say enough for the South African performance, mostly of their team, but also of their supporters. I am firmly committed to trying to find the economic means to send my wife and me to next summer's World Cup, to see at least one States game and one other match.

On the winner... Xabi Alonso's shot was good, but it would not have scored had South African keeper Khune not had to account for Llorente's attempted elbow deflection. There's nothing you could do to legislate this without getting an official killed, but it's unfortunate for the hosts. Still, fourth place sounds like a coup for them, even if it simply means they outclassed Iraq and New Zealand. As I pointed out in the Cup preview post, I felt RSA would be able to use the home field to their advantage, and their No. 72 FIFA world ranking was slightly better than Iraq and NZ.

Comment away!

So much for moral victories! States to Semis!

Sound the Vuvuzela, as the buzzing will continue for American soccer in the face of everything improbable. The States needed to win by three and have Brazil win by three, which is stupid enough before you consider that the Amerks have looked nothing shy of crap for the first two games of group play in the Confederations Cup.

Leaving my house for men's league's pitch at 3:30 p.m., I planned to write the somewhat moral victory post around, well, now. The US was up 1-0 at half, and Brazil was demoralizing Italy by a 3-0 score. Yet texts began to roll into our team during the game, and as we topped our opponents, 3-0, the United States did the same.

I'm watching it now, knowing what's coming, and I'm buzzing. As previously posted, Charlie Davies' first goal, digging deep in the six and wresting a ball off of Egypt's keeper, was the sort of goals the States have to score, blue collar and no bull----.

The next two goals were also things the US needed. Seeing Michael Bradley rewarded for a stellar tournament despite nothing from his fellow midfielders is fantastic, and, yes, full marks for PK Lando on a wonderful low-pass. As much as I can't stand Bob Bradley lately, the look on his face when his son put in No. 2 was downright stars and stripes. It was Michael Bradley's second-straight goal on Father's Day, with his father behind the lines.

The third and final tally was needed, too, as Fulham's Clint Dempsey had been anything but stellar in the first two contests before turning it on the first half. His strong heading finish of a Jonathan Spector cross sent the Yanks into ecstasy, and they held on for an unlikely trip to the semi-finals to meet Spain.

How unlikely is this? Borderline impossible... and it comes on a day I actually scored in our team's game, which truly shows you how the stars were aligned.

Full marks to Brad Guzan for the clean sheet, but this was without Tim Howard and Carlos "Charlie Blackmouth" Bocanegra.

This is a fine day for US soccer, a day that no one can take away from us, regardless of what happens against Spain in Wednesday afternoon's Stage Two. We'll be at a bar. If you're near Buffalo, come find us (or just email).

And it wouldn't be fun if we didn't ask Giuseppe Rossi how he feels about the whole thing.

Yanks look awful against beatable Brazil; lose 3-0.

You can't convert the heathens without something worth admiring, let alone worshipping, and Bob Bradley and Landon Donovan's United States team has been anything but that for several months, a fact underscored in Thursday's 3-0 loss to Brazil in the Confederations Cup. Unlike the 3-1 loss to Italy, the score adequately details their performance.

I'll admit right off that bat that I'm writing in anger, but the States' effort against Brazil -- at least in these first 65 minutes -- has been unacceptable. Sloppy passing, poor touches and a lack of creativity have marred a winnable game against a Brazil team who has been nothing better than advantageous. Not to mention another red card, this time to a favorite of mine in Sacha Kljestan (though it came after the team was down 2-0).

To capitalize on a brilliant point Scott made in an earlier post, both of the States' first two conceded goals were the fault of players who don't play much for their club teams, and that calls into question Bradley's mindset.

The first goal came when Jonathan Spector continued a lackluster tournament by failing to stay with Felipe Melo off a free kick (which the Brazilians earned with trademark thespianship). Spector played just 13 games for West Ham this year in EPL, and may have a future with the States as an '85 birthday, but has not looked prepared for top-level international competition.

Goal No. 2 came when DaMarcus Beasley whiffed off of the U.S.'s first corner, springing Brazil into a shap-sucking full-length run that Robinho finished off. Similarly to Spector, Beasley has played in just 21 matches over two years for Rangers since coming over from Manchester City in 2007.

It is important to remember that the States are a much better squad with a healthy Carlos Bocanegra and Maurice Edu. I can even grudgingly admit that Brian Ching would be an improvement over Conor Casey. But, this sort of performance falls upon the leadership. There were no guts in the attack and there was no fluidity or creativity from the midfield.

The good news? Tim Howard is outstanding, and Oguchi Onyewu continues to improve. I don't it's silly to call Howard one of the elite goaltenders in the world, and Onyewu will be getting his backline on with a much better crew than Standard Liege next season. His rumoured suitors include EPL teams Fulham, Wolverhampton and Birmingham City, while another report says Fenerbache is in play for Onyewu.

Also looking good were Benny Feilhaber, who came millimeters away from netting his third international goal for the States. Michael Bradley continues to win me over, and the coach's kid is an absolute bulldog with a neat little mean streak. I've seen precious little of Jay DeMerit, but what I've seen I've loved.

Certainly Clint Dempsey has more upside than this pitiful two-game stretch, and everyone knows my high hopes for Jozy Altidore, though he missed a "gotta-have-it" striking opportunity in the Brazil loss. The third part of this recent attack has been the acting skipper, Landon Donovan, and while I'm fine with him being on the field, it would be nice to toss that arm band on Howard or Onyewu. Donovan is a poor example on the field, showing flashes of brilliance that only highlight his lackluster effort and whining, complaining that only works if you are genuinely one of the best players in the world.

I want to see more from Freddy Adu, Jose Torres and Kljestan. I hope they all play in Sunday's contest in Egypt, and I look forward to seeing Jermaine Jones join the fray once his papers clear. Perhaps some sort of new field amalgamation with him and Bradley could give the team a more defensive and stable look.

Once I really think about this, and reflect on the game, things should start to look a little clear. The team is not nearly as bad as they've looked -- nor this has read -- but throw in the miserable showing against a pretty good Costa Rica squad, and we're due to have fear that South Africa 2010 could look more like Germany '06 and France '98 than the Orient '02.

Four out of five isn't just a pattern; it would make the '02 outlier a straight aberration.

Alexi Lalas just said it best on the post-game report: Sunday's match against Egypt needs to show character, heart and spirit... something absent in a great spell of American soccer time.

USA v Brazil Preview

Three days removed from a heartbreaker against Italy, the US squad needs to straighten out, and get back to the grind. Whatever letdown still lingers, they need to let it go and get dialed in. Down to the last man off the bench, Bob Bradley's squad needs to regroup and force (at least, no problems here with a win) a tie to keep their hopes alive for a shot at a second round Confederations Cup showing. Enter Brazil. 5 time World Cup champions. Eight time Copa America winners. Kings of the Confederations Cup three times. So how is this going to play? A few thoughts.

1 - Under head coach Dunga Brazil has adopted a defensive oriented system. The free-flowing, wheeling and dealing Brazil hasn't necessarily been handcuffed offensively, but they do look different. Kaka and Robinho key the attack. Juan is a beast in the middle of the backline. Barcelona man Dani Alves gets out wide from his spot on the right and jumps into the attack regularly. Look out. Different style, different strategy, doesn't matter. This squad is still made up of ballers for real. The US needs to play mistake free soccer, and unlike the Italian match, if they have the opportunity to shoot inside the box they need to shoot inside the box.

2 - With Ricardo Clark out, what's the US starting 11 going to look like? Carlos Bocanegra may be back from a hamstring injury, so look for him in his normal spot next to Oguchi Onyewu. Boca's return gives the US another target on set pieces, and its captain, so hopefully that's an inspirational boost. The US should probably look to jam up the middle of the field and do their best to stifle Brazil from the counterattack so look for some sort of 4-5-1 arrangement. Michael Bradley, Benny Feilhaber, and Sacha Kljestan in the middle, Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan out wide, and a long 60-70 minutes for Jozy Altidore as the lone target forward followed by some Charlie Davies fresh legs.

3 - Febraury 10, 1998. Kasey Keller stands on his head and guides the US to a Gold Cup victory over Brazil. Brazilian forward Romario said that was "the best performance by a goalkeeper I have ever seen" Do it Tim Howard!!!!

USA v Italy News and Notes

I wasn't able to watch this game live due to golf obligations, but catching up on DVR I've got a few observations.

1) Giuessepe Rossi took a ball from 30 yards out and the only thing on his mind was how can I score? I'm dying for Bradley and Altidore to figure that out inside the box in the first half. Just let it rip boys. It's a 2-nil game before the red card is an issue.

2) The straight red card issued to Ricardo Clark was a bit much, but reading the letter of the law can be considered "A player is sent off and shown the red card if he is guilty of serious foul play." OK, I see it. It was a dumb tackle inside midfield where Gennaro Gattuso posed no immediate threat. Clark came high with his right foot and really got a hold of the Italian middie. I don't agree with it, but I get it. Now i hate to nitpick, but the FIFA rules also read: "A player is sent off and shown the red card if he is guilty of violent conduct." Moments after Clark's sending off Landon Donovan was elbowed in the jaw by Fabio Grosso. Grosso picked up a cautioning and I know it was nowhere near what Daniele De Rossi threw at Brian McBride's head in 2006, but it's a two-way street and if the game's going to be called that close..... Just saying.

3) Speaking of refereeing decisions, the way the Brazil-Egypt clash ended and with the Egyptian Football Federation filing an appeal, it makes me wonder: Whether the ref had video assistance and communication from his 4th or not, your player merely had to do his job and hug the post on a corner kick. Instead he drifted to the middle and ended up throwing his arm at a ball heading into the net. I hate to lose too, but if you're going to lose, lose with class. If you're going to appeal your loss on a technicality, well, shame on you.

4) Does anybody know what happened to Jon O'Brien? After Claudio Reyna retired O'Brien was supposed to be our midfield general. He was supposed to be the guy through the 2010 run that was supposed to calm the US down, slow the game down, get creative in the attacking third and engineer the attack from the defensive end. The injuries that cut his career short are nothing short of heartbreaking to myself.

5) The US-Italy thing got off track right quick. One more thought before bed. In the US' starting eleven two players (Benny Feilhaber and Jozy Altidore) either can't get off the bench of receive few minutes for their club teams. Coming off the bench, Brad Guzan, DaMarcus Beasley, and Freddy Adu don't see any playing time at all. Heath Pearce was demoted from regular starter to his side's reserve squad. Point being: It's hard to go toe-to-toe with the world's best when key players on the roster aren't in either mid-season MLS or post-season Europe form. It's impressive to sign a contract in Europe. Bravo. Make it work though. Going up against two of the best in Italy and Brazil (whose players all play regularly in their domestic league or internationally) when they're in game shape and you're not is a major disadvantage.

Confederations Cup preview

(Note: All games of the tournament will be available live in HD on ESPN or ESPN2 thanks to the timing of the contests. The U.S. games are :

(Monday, June 15 vs. Italy, 2:25 p.m. EST -- ESPN)
(Thursday, June 18 vs. Brazil, 10 a.m. EST -- ESPN2)
(Sunday, June 21 vs. Egypt, 2;25 p.m. EST -- ESPN2)

You're all welcome at my house for the first and third games. HD and everything.

On to the preview...

It's not exactly a group of death, but it shouldn't be a ton of fun for the United States in the Confederations Cup in South Africa.

The Confederations Cup draw consists of the winners of each of FIFA's six confederations tournaments, together with the previous World Cup winner and the host country.

One group is, let's say, remarkably easier than the other, as World Cup winner Spain gets to take on Iraq, South Africa and New Zealand. For what their worth, the FIFA World Rankings place the world's No.1 team against its 72, 77 and 82 (SA, Iraq, NZ).

Compare that combined number of 272 to 63, the combined rankings of Group B, with No. 14 United States competing against Italy (4), Brazil (5) and Egypt (40).

Italy is atop Group 8 of UEFA with 14 points. Two draws are the only smudges on their record, and both came against their toughest opponents, Northern Ireland and Bulgaria (There is no word whether Bulgarian captain -- can you believe that? -- Dimitar Berbatov actually tried in the contest).

The reigning champions, Brazil sits atop CONMEBOL, but it hasn't been with traditional dominance or flair. At 7-6-1, two of their draws have come at Peru and home to Bolivia. Brazil is 11-1-1 all-time against the States, 6-2-5 against Italy and 4-0 versus Egypt.

The Egyptians are at the bottom of CAF's third group, but have only played two games, drawing at home to Zambia and dropping a 3-1 decision at Algeria. With Zaki, most recently of Wigan, and Mohammad Zidan (Borussia Dortmund) up-top, they could give fits to at least two of the group, but more on that when we talk U.S. chances.

It would be shocking if anyone other than Spain came out of Group A. Writing this after Iraq and South Africa played to a scoreless draw in the first game of the tournament, it is clear that the guffaws regarding Iraq being in this tournament are well-earned. South Africa will be the Spaniards greatest threat in terms of offense, but Fernando Torres and company should be able to wreak havoc on the South African back four... though we cshouldn't count out home-field advantage (I guess).

While the New Zealand did have a successful last friendly, in a sense, losing to Italy 4-3, they do not pose a significant threat to Spain. I was going to risk my "Streak for the Cash" on Sunday's Spain/NZ match producing three goals or less, but I was more confident that the Pirates could top the Tigers in MLB (as if that should mean anything to anyone).

As for the States' chances, "our" best chance would be to score first against Italy, or keep the game scoreless for as long as possible. You'd think America could top Egypt, but the Yanks have had more than their fair share of issues with top-class forwards, and I'd put Zaki down for at least one in their match. If that one comes early, look out.

Oddly enough, I like the U.S. more than usual against Brazil, if the midfield can play patient enough to take advantage of a sometimes overly-active yellow and green team.

How the States can make it to the semi-finals:
Best-case-realistic scenario: Monday's opener with Italy produces a scoreless or 1-1 draw as relentless wing play limits Italy offensively. The 2006 World Cup draw likely won't happen, as the States salvaged a point thanks to a Cristian Zaccardo own goal. You may remember that as the only goal the Azzurri surrendered in the tournament until the final against France. The U.S. would then beat Egypt and hope Brazil beats the Italians. Of course the same scenario could work in reverse, but seems less likely.

Worst-case for the States:
Italy strikes first against the States, and then uses their potent counter-attack to seal the game. Giuseppe Rossi scores both goals and does the "crying" celebration right to the ESPN cameras. Off a shocking draw with Egypt, Brazil goes all-out offensively, swarming the States in a 4-2 decision. Finally, Egypt uses Zaki and company to torture the shaky-at-best States backline en route to another two-goal win.

Predictions:

Group A (June 14, 17, 20):
South Africa v Iraq ** Already completed, D, 0-0
New Zealand v Spain (Spain, 3-0)
Spain v Iraq (Spain, 5-0)
South Africa v New Zealand (South Africa, 2-1)
Iraq v New Zealand (Draw, 1-1)
Spain v South Africa (Spain, 3-1)

Group B (June 15, 18, 21):
Brazil v Egypt (Brazil, 4-2)
USA v Italy (Draw, 1-1)
USA v Brazil (Brazil, 2-1)
Egypt v Italy (Italy, 2-0)
Italy v Brazil (Italy, 1-0)
Egypt v USA (US, 2-1)

Semi-finals (June 24 & 25):
Winner Group A v Runner-up Group B (Italy 1 v. South Africa 0)
Winner Group B v Runner-up Group A (Spain 3 v. Brazil 2)

Third-placed play-off (June 28):
Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg (Brazil 3 v. South Africa 1)

Confederations Cup final (June 28):
Ellis Park, Johannesburg (Spain 3 v. Italy 2 (pk))