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Brazil bounces Italy from Confederations Cup

Sun 21st, June 2009

Pretoria, South Africa (Sports Network) - Luis Fabiano scored twice in just six minutes and an own goal capped a late first-half outburst for Brazil, which won 3-0 over Italy to eliminate the World Cup champions from the Confederations Cup on Sunday.

Fabiano scored in the 37th and 43rd minutes, and the own goal by Italy defender Andrea Dossena in the 45th sealed the Brazilians win before half.

Brazil won Group B and plays South Africa on Thursday in the semifinals. Brazil helped the United States, which defeated Egypt 3-0 on Sunday, move to second in the group and advance to the semifinals to play Spain on Wednesday.

Brazil was impressive from the beginning and Fabiano handed the South American giants the lead at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in the 37th. Fabiano actually got in the way of a shot by defender Maicon, but the striker settled and fired to the bottom-left corner past Gianluigi Buffon.

The Brazilians used an quick and impressive build up for the next goal, which was set up when Robinho slipped a pass outside to Kaka, who tried to thread the ball back into the box to Robinho. The pass was just past Robinho, but Fabiano ran in to meet the pass and chipped over Buffon.

Dossena handed Brazil the three-goal lead when he slid in to try and prevent a Robinho cross from going through the area to Ramires. Dossena slid in to play the ball and ended up directing it past Buffon and into his own net.

Italy needed just one goal to advance on goal differential over the U.S., but it wasted its best chance in the 76th. Brazilian goalkeeper Julio Cesar was off his line to try and play the ball, and Italy gained control and had a chance to convert into an empty net.

Brazil defended well, though, and when Simone Pepe finally took a shot, Cesar was back between the posts - he was just steps from the sideline earlier in the play - and two defenders were on the line to deny the chance.

Italy defeated the United States 3-1 on Monday in the first match of group play but with the results from the last day, dropped to minus-2 in goal differential - equal with the U.S. - and was eliminated on total goals scored, 4-3.