Confed Cup: Brazil 4-2 Italy

Hosts Brazil claimed top spot in Group A at the troubled
Confederations Cup with 4-2 win over Italy in Salvador Saturday.

The match may have lacked the quality of previous classic encounters
between the world football heavyweights, but burst into life in the
second half.

Dante had given Brazil the lead before the break, but it needed a
double from Fred and a classic free kick from home talisman Neymar to
see off a determined Italian challenge.

Victory also meant Brazil will likely avoid world champions Spain in
next week's semifinals.
Spain currently top Group B ahead of the finalround of matches Sunday
and have been in commanding form, beating minnows Tahiti 10-0 in their
latest match.

Read: Minnows Tahiti beaten 10-0 by all-conquering Spain
Brazil have also impressed with comfortable wins over Mexico and
Japan, but this has gone almost unnoticed because of the mass popular
protests outside games and across the country.

Demonstrators have taken to the streets to highlight the cost of
Brazil hosting next year's World Cup and the 2016 Olympics against a
background of sub standard public services and corruption.
There were no reported protests outside a packed Arena Fonte Nova for
the final group game although Cesar Prandelli had advised his Italian
squad to stay inside their hotel prior to the match.
Neymar proved a thorn in their side from the start and was behind a
flurry of attacks in thefirst minute.
But the rest of the half proved scrappy until the home breakthrough in
added time.
Neymar whipped in a free kick and after Fred's header was palmed clear
by Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, Dante pounced to slot home the
rebound.
Read: The man who could have been Pele
Italy surprisingly equalized in the 51st minuteas Mario Balotelli
cleverly flicked on a long ballwith a backheel and Emanuele
Giaccherini charged forward to score.
But parity lasted just four minutes, Neymar winning a free kick on the
edge of the area and stepping up to beat Buffon with a precise strike.
It was the Barcelona-bound star's 23rd goal for Brazil and sixth in
his last seven games, continuing his superb form at the Confederations
Cup.
Balotelli had a penalty appeal denied before Fred showed his strength
to thump home the third in the 66th minute.
Read: Mass protests outside the stadium as Brazil beat Mexico
Shortly afterwards, Neymar, who has scored three goals in the
competition, was substituted by coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, rested
ahead of a last four clash in Belo Horizonte next Wednesday.
But it looked an unwise move as Italy pulled one back as Giorgio
Chiellini scored with a low shot after Brazil failed to clear a
corner.
Christian Maggio thumped the woodwork as Italy pushed for an equalizer
but were finally defeated when Fred converted after Buffon could only
push out Marcelo's shot into his path.
"We beat a strong Italian team and I think this shows we are on the
right road, even if there are a few things we need to improve,"
Scolari told AFP.
In the other Group A match, Mexico beat Japan 2-1 with Manchester
United's Javier Hernandez scoring both their goals.
After Shinji Okazaki pulled one back for Japan, Hernandez saw his late
penalty saved as he sought his hat-trick, but his side hung on.