VIDEO Brazil 3-0 Spain Confederations Cup Final Highlights: Brazil Wins Third Straight
Two goals from Fred, including an early strike in the second minute of play, helped Brazil win its third straight Confederations Cup in a 3-0 victory over Spain on Sunday night at Maracana.
Neymar scored his fourth goal of the tournament in between Fred’s scores in the 44th, completing a dominating performance against a Spanish club that struggled from the get-go.
Fred has now totaled five goals in the last three contests for Brazil and started the match off by accepting a cross from Hulk, flopping on the pitch in front of the net, and swinging his leg up from a prone position for a 1-0 score in the second minute.
From there Brazil controlled the tempo of the match, and goalkeeper Julio Cesar totaled five saves, stunting a Spain squad that was frustrated throughout the match, despite forcing eight corner kicks.
In the 44th, Neymar scuttled a shot to the top left corner of the net and notched his fourth goal of the tournament. It was the 21-year-old Brazil native’s fifth career start in the Confederations.
As Brazil easily cut through Spain’s backline with rapid-fire passing, Fred capped the scoring soon after with a low ground shot to the right corner for a 3-0 lead and the match in the 47th.
Spain did have plenty of chances, with 18 shots, five of which were on goal. They also held the possession advantage 56-44.
Any chance of a comeback was quickly dashed when Spain’s Gerard Pique was sent off with a red card in the 68th minute with a rough foul on Neymar.
Spain’s Sergio Ramos and Alvaro Arbeloa were each booked for a yellow in the first half.
The highlights for each goal and Pique's red card can be found below.
Brazil 1-0 Spain Fred Confederations Cup 1/7/2013 by Yariga
Brazil 2-0 España Golazo de Neymar Copa... by Daniel7jose2013
Brazil 3 - 0 Spain - GooL Fred by f100000610838107
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