Host Brazil crushed world and European champions Spain by 3-0 goals to win a third straight Confederations Cup title with a glittering display of football which lifted the Maracana Stadium in seventh heavens on Sunday.
The turbo-charged samba stars yelled to victory following a pair of goals from Fred and a stunning kick from Neymar. This way, Brazil dominated an exhausted Spanish team whose strength was depleted after edging Italy on penalties in Thursday's semi-final. A wretched defeat of Spain witnessed them miss a second half penalty when Sergio Ramos kicked wide from the spot before Barcelona defender Gerard Pique was out for a professional foul on Neymar.
Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari indicated the result as the perfect impetus as he plots a course to an assault on next year's World Cup finals in Brazil. Scolari quoted that people know a much tougher event is approaching next year. He also noted that they can proceed on the journey with a little more confidence.
Meanwhile, Spanish counterpart Vicente del Bosque admitted that his side had been outwitted on the night. He added that there are no excuses and Brazil is better than them. They must congratulate them.
Brazil's fans in a 73,531-crowd belted out a spine-tingling performance of the national anthem during the pre-match ceremonies. The swirling anthems emerged as police clashed with protestors outside the stadium before kick-off-the latest in a series of violent altercations that have plagued the tournament since it commenced. Brazil rushed into a 1-0 lead following only two minutes through Fred's first of the night goal with the euphoric stadium crowd surrounding them. Amazingly, Hulk lifted over a cross while Neymar slid a hopeful ball to the centre forward, who was flat in the box as he shot out his right leg to hook home from point blank range past powerless Spanish custodian Iker Casillas. Subsequently, Oscar fired a low strike just wide after Fred curled on a Neymar flick before a Paulinho damage almost embarrassed Casillas as Brazil proceeded forward. They were visibly boosted by the overpowering roar of support cascading down from the stands. In return, Spain briefly responded with a swirling drive from Andres Iniesta which apparently drifted just wide before Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar thrusted the ball away for a 19th-minute corner with Fernando Torres.
Scolari, who led the Brazilians to their last World Cup success 11 years ago to the day, had commenced the event by playing down expectations after the legendary Pele banged the current side as not suitable to win apex prizes. However, recently Scolari has suggested that this was the time for next year's World Cup hosts to prove they are back in business.
Spain central defender Pique who already booked for a first half challenge, was sent off for pulling Neymar's legs under him following the break. The bearded star departed from the tussle to chants of "Shakira”-his Colombian partner. Unfortunately, Spain could not withstand the pace of the hosts' high-speed interplay due to which they were down and out after David Luiz shot a superlative block in the 42nd minute.
Torres as well as Juan Mata produced an all-Chelsea interplay before sending Pedro away. The Barcelona forward aimed an effort goalwards with Julio Cesar stranded. As Brazilian hearts pounded violently, Luiz plunged across the goalline to clear, prompting cheers that ricocheted back from the rafters. Visibly, there were niggling moments as one of the four Chelsea men Oscar on the pitch at the start, earned a booking for diving following a Ramos challenge. Further, Fred saw Casillas make a fine halt with his legs from a low drive before the centre forward missed a free header.
As the clock ticked down at the end of the first period, Neymar propelled it to 2-0, along with Oscar before the Barcelona-bound starlet, twisted to smash a relentless left-footed drive past Casillas for his fourth goal of the match. The 21-year-old vaulted the advertising hoardings to disappear in a sea of crazy fans before embracing his teammates with an ever-increasing noise of applause. After 2 minutes of the restart, it was 3-0 as the swashbuckling Fred proved again why Scolari is such a fan, firing a steady low drive wide of Casillas' outspread arms following a brightly instinctive Neymar dummy.
On the visitor side, Spain reacted as coach Vicente del Bosque who is the only man to coach teams to the World Cup, the Euros and the Champions League, launched Jesus Navas for Mata but there would be no revive for Spain. Following Marcelo fouled Navas, there was enough time for Ramos to send a spotkick wide for Spain. His efforts added their evening to put on the spot and found wanting, while Brazil proved that a sixth World Cup could just be waiting for them.
