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Henrique in action for Brazil. Photo Credit: AFP

BRASIL 2-0 MEXICO Neymar stole the show with a virtuoso display, netting a goal and setting up another as Brasil waltz into the semi-finals. Brasil coach, Felipe Scolari named an unchanged line-up from their opening game against Japan while the Tri Color of Mexico made just one change from the team that lost to Italy, Mei coming in for Zavala. Neymar opened the scoring in the 9th minute of the game, with another top notch finish, hitting the ball on the volley with his left foot – his second goal of the tournament. The Brasilian who recently signed for Spanish giants, FC Barcelona showed why there’s so much fuss about him at the moment, producing scintillating displays throughout the match. He rounded off the game with an assist for substitute Jo to make the game safe. The winger cut through two defenders in a moment of magic before teeing up Jo for the goal. The win means Brasil have 6 points from 2 games; hence they are through to the semi-finals. Mexico bows out of the competition after their second loss. Brasil are now unbeaten in 9 confederations cup matches; their last defeat was a 1-0 loss against Mexico in 2005. Brasil: 12 Julio Cesar – 02 Alves (Booked), 03 Thiago Silva (Booked), 04 David Luiz, 06 Marcelo – 17 Dias, 18 Paulinho, 11 Oscar (Hernanes – 61′) – 19 Hulk (Lucas Moura – 78′), 09 Fred (Jo – 82′), 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 Mexico: 12 Corona – 21 Mier, 02 Rodriguez (Booked), 15 Moreno, 20 Torres (Barrera – 70′) – 06 Torrado (Jimenez – 88′), 03 Salcido – 22 Flores (Herrera – 58′ Booked), 10 Giovani, 18 Guardado (Booked) – 14 Hernandez Subs: 01 Ochoa, 23 Talavera, 04 Reyes, 13 Meza, 05 Molina, 07 Barrera, 08 Reyna, 11 Aquinon, 16 Herrera, 17 Zavala, 09 De Nigris, 19 Jimenez Ref: Howard Webb Att: 60,000 ITALY 4-3 JAPAN Italy fought back from two goals down to win 4-3 and knock out the Japanese team from the competition. Japan went ahead through a Keisuke Honda penalty in the 22nd minute after Italian keeper, Gigi Buffon was adjudged to have upended Japanese striker, Okazaki in the box. Manchester United playmaker, Shinji Kagawa made it two before Daniele De Rossi pulled one back for the Italians. The Italians turned the game in the second half with two quick goals through Atsuto Uchida’s own goal and a Mario Balotelli penalty. The Japanese were the better side and were unlucky, hitting the bar on four occasions. They did get their third goal in the 69th minute through Okazaki before Sebastian Giovinco popped up with the winner on 86 minutes. Italy is through to the semi-finals while Japan is out. Italy will face Brasil to determine the winner of the group, Japan and Mexico will square off in the final group B games. Italy: 01 Buffon (Booked), 02 Maggio (Abate – 59′), 15 Barzagli, 03 Chiellini, 05 De Sciglio – 21 Pirlo, 16 De Rossi (Booked), 18 Montolivo – 07 Aquilani (Givonco – 30′), 09 Balotelli, 22 Giacherrini (Marchisio – 68′) Subs: 12 Sirigu, 13 Marchetti, 04 Astori, 19 Bonucci, 20 Abate, 06 Candreva, 08 Marchisio, 17 Cerci, 23 Diamanti, 10 Giovinco, 11 Gilardino, 14 El Shaarawy Japan: 01 Kawashima – 06 Uchida (Sakai – 73′), 15 Konno (Booked), 22 Yoshida, 05 Nagatomo – 17 Hasebe Booked (Nakamura – 90′), 07 Endo – 09 Okazaki, 04 Honda, 10 Kagawa – 18 Maeda (Havenaar – 79′) Subs: 12 Nishikawa, 23 Gonda, 02 Inoha, 03 Sakai, 16 Kurihara, 21 Sakai, 08 Kiyotake, 13 Hosogai, 14 Nakamura, 19 Inui, 20 Takahashi, 11 Havenaar Ref: Diego Abal Att: 40,489

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This article was first published on 20th June 2013

arinzeude

Arinze Ude is a PhD Student at the University of the West of England Bristol, UK, where he's exploring on the mechanisms of donor cell leukaemia. He shares his deep thoughts on his blog and the Naked Convos. He is keen to promote personal development of the Nigerian youth via thought-provoking articles.