Brazil has marked one of the most spectacular finals in Confederations Cup history with a come-from-behind victory over the USA on Sunday.

I can’t even imagine how heart-breaking the loss must be to the Americans after they were 2-0 up at half-time and looked to be the better side for most of the game. Clint Dempsey opened the scoring on the USA’s first attack when, after only ten minutes, he slotted the ball past Julio Cesar from a curling Jonathan Spector cross. Landon Donovan doubled the lead after 27 minutes when he teamed up with 22-year-old Charlie Davies in an incredible counterattack move.

Half-time beckoned and the Brazilians looked shell-shocked; they needed a change of tactics, fast. Head coach Dunga must have asked some tough questions in the dressing rooms because only 37 seconds into the second half the Brazilians had a reply. Luis Fabiano showed just how calm he is under pressure with a wonderful low shot that Tim Howard had no chance of keeping out. Immediately the Brazilians started to pile on the pressure with the Americans falling back into the same lacklustre defense that saw them crushed 3-0 by the Seleção in game two.

The equalizer came in the 74th minute after Kaka showed why he is worth €65 million. The Real Madrid midfielder threaded the ball into the box to find Robinho, whose attempt deflected off the crossbar. Luis Fabiano pounced, however, and earned his fifth goal of the campaign.

The force of Brazil’s attack eventually proved to be too much for the Americans. Captain Lucio headed in a brilliant corner kick to lead the Brazilians to their second consecutive Confederations Cup final. The USA should hold their heads up high, though; I gave them no chance of progressing past the group stage after their first two losses, but they turned it around by overcoming world number one Spain in the semis. And statistics speak volumes: in the entire 90 minutes the USA only had nine shots (four on target) whereas Brazil had 31 attempts. It was an incredible game of football and without question proved that the Americans can turn on the magic when they want to.

In the third-place match between Spain and South Africa, an identical score line presented a very different game. The Spaniards eventually won the match 3-2 in extra-time, but all five goals came after the 72nd minute.

A dull first half and even duller start to the second insinuated that neither team wanted to be competing in the playoff for third place. However, South Africa took the initiative on 73 minutes with a lovely play from Katlego Mphela. The game looked to be over, however Daniel Guiza – who had only been substituted in the 57th minute – scored two quick goals in two minutes to put Spain into an unexpected lead. Mphela wasn’t finished though, and three minutes into injury-time he sent the game into extra time with arguably the best goal of the tournament.

But it was not to be for the South Africans. From an equally incredible free-kick Xabi Alonso curled the ball into the back of the net and sent Spain home with at least some satisfaction.The 2009 Confederations Cup was a remarkable tournament and raised my hopes that next year’s World Cup is going to be even better. And don’t forget, the final of the Under-21 UEFA Championship is on today, so check out BetUS for the latest odds.

Germany
Handicap: pk +110; Moneyline: +190
Draw
Moneyline: +200
England
Handicap: pk -140; Moneyline: +135