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David Luiz
David Luiz of Brazil, Celebrating with the Confederations Cup. Photo Credit: Getty Images.
Brazil has returned to the summit of World football after defeating European and World champions, Spain in the final of the Confederations Cup. Brazil produced a mesmeric display in front of a packed Maracana to claim their third consecutive Confederations Cup. With the mammoth crowd solidly behind them, Brazil showed why they are the favourites to lift the World Cup next year by ending Spain’s 29-match unbeaten run. Fred scored twice but Neymar grabbed the headlines with a breathtaking goal just before half time. Spain missed a glorious opportunity to pull one back from the spot but Sergio Ramos fired wide from 11metres. Things went from bad to worse for Spain when they were reduced to ten men. Gerrard Pique was given a straight red for hacking down Neymar, who was through on goal. Brazil: 12 Julio Cesar – 02 Alves, 03 Thiago Silva, 04 David Luiz, 06 Marcelo – 17 Dias, 18 Paulinho (Hernanes – 88′), 11 Oscar – 19 Hulk (Jadson – 73′), 09 Fred (Jo – 80′), 10 Neymar Subs: 01 Jefferson, 22 Cavalieri, 13 Dante, 14 Filipe, 16 Rever, 05 Fernando, 07 Lucas Moura, 08 Hernanes, 15 Jean, 20 Bernard, 23 Jadson, 21 Jo Spain: 01 Casillas, 17 Arbeloa Booked (Azpilicueta – 46′), 03 Pique (Dismissed), 15 Ramos (Booked), 18 Alba – 16 Busquets, 08 Xavi, 06 Iniesta – 11 Pedro, 09 Torres (Villa – 59′), 13 Mata (Navas – 52′) Subs: 12 Valdes, 23 Reina, 02 Albiol, 05 Azpilicueta, 19 Monreal, 04 Martinez, 10 Fabregas, 20 Cazorla, 21 Silva, 22 Navas, 07 Villa, 14 Soldado Ref: Kuipers Att: 73,531   Neymar was named the man of the match and was also decorated with the bronze boot and golden ball. Fernando Torres won the golden boot while Fred was named the silver boot winner. Andres Iniesta and Paulinho were also named the silver and bronze ball winners of the competition. The Golden boot is given to the highest goal scorer in the competition while the golden ball is given to the best player in the competition. Earlier in the day, Italy defeated Uruguay 4-2 on penalties in the Third/Fourth place play off. The game finished 2-2 after regulation plus extra time. The Italians went ahead through Davide Astori, who became the first player to be awarded a goal using the goal line hawk eye technology. Alessandro Diamanti scored a sublime free kick in between an Edinson Cavani brace. Diego Forlan, Martin Caceres and Walter Gargano all missed from the spot for the 1930 World Cup championship.
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This article was first published on 1st July 2013

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