2013 FIFA Confederations Cup Review - Selecao end La Roja's reign

Brazil were crowned the champions of the Confederations Cup

The FIFA Confederations Cup, which in a way is football’s counterpart to cricket’s Champions Trophy, remains a prestigious and popular event and faces no threat of being scrapped in coming years. However, just like the Champions Trophy, it also is overshadowed by the big brother – FIFA World Cup.

Played a year before the World Cup in the country hosting the mega event, Confederations Cup is considered as a mere warm-up exercise for the host nation to show that they have the resources to successfully host the World Cup the following year. Rather than being considered an individual event, it is considered a preview to the biggest sporting event on Earth, which takes too much sheen off it.

Formerly called the King Fahd Cup, the tournament’s 2013 edition was played in Brazil, hosts of 2014 FIFA World Cup, amidst waves of anti-government protests by the Brazilians. Despite facing a serious threat of postponement due to the large-scale demonstrations, the tournament was successfully organized and won by the host nation, temporarily subduing the protests and reviving hopes of the entire Samba nation of reclaiming the prestigious Jules Rimet Trophy.

Brazil’s rout of world and European champions Spain in the final may have well given us a glimpse of what is to come when they welcome 31 of the best national teams next year.

And Neymar, well, he too has come of age.

From 15-30 June 2013, the tournament was played across 6 different stadia in 6 Brazilian cities, including the site of Uruguay’s famous 1950 upset of the Selecao, the historic Maracana in Rio de Janeiro.

Apart from hosts Brazil, the participating teams were World and European champions Spain, 2011 Copa America champions Uruguay, 2011 Gold Cup winners Mexico, 2013 African Cup of Nations winners Nigeria, 2011 Asian Champions Japan, 2012 OFC Nations Cup winners Tahiti and 2012 European Championships runners-up Italy, who were awarded a spot in the event because of Spain’s dual status as the World and European champions.

Brazil were clubbed in Group A alongside Italy, Japan and Mexico while Spain, Uruguay, Nigeria and Tahiti formed Group B.

Group A was all about the Brazilians and their new wonder kid Neymar. The new Barcelona acquisition was on a roll as the Selecao breezed through their group undefeated, scoring a goal each in all their group matches. Featuring a number of talented youngsters playing for different European heavyweights and those on their way to Europe, Brazil dished out attacking football, giving their countrymen plenty to cheer about in times of crisis.

Italy, meanwhile, were uncharacteristically sloppy at the back, leaking 8 goals in 3 matches, but did just enough to follow their hosts to semifinals. Mexico saw all their goals being scored by “little pea” Javier Hernandez and finished 3rd while Japan went out winless.

Spain dominated Group B

If Group A was about Selecao, Group B was about La Roja. Playing with their customary passing game, Spain sailed through to last four undefeated, dismantling the hapless Tahitians 10-0 in the process. Uruguay were the other semifinalists from the group ahead of Nigeria, who almost did not make it to Brazil because of a pay dispute with their federation and whipping boys Tahiti, for whom playing in the tournament was an achievement in itself.

The boys from Oceania let in 24 goals, scoring a solitary one against Nigeria. However they enjoyed their game completely, earning everyone’s appreciation, as this is what football is all about.

Both the semis were closely fought as the Brazilians overcame their South American neighbours 2-1 while in a repeat of 2012 European Championships final, Spain beat Italy, albeit through a penalty shootout with the match finishing goalless. Italy edged Uruguay via yet another penalty shootout to finish 3rd.

The final was every fan boy’s dream come true – the 5-times world champions against the current world champions; the most successful team in history vs the best in the world; a team on the rise taking on a team enjoying a golden run – Brazil vs Spain.

Played at the historic Maracana, the final of the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, contrary to the expectations, proved to be a damp squib as the Selecao overcame La Roja 3-0 to win their 3rd successive and 4th Confederations Cup overall.

The current Brazilian side may be a pale shadow of the old Brazil sides, but as the cliché goes, played like champions throughout. Current players like Oscar, Fred, Paulinho, Marcelo, Dani Alves etc., and Neymar particularly, may not be anywhere as good as their predecessors; but as their performance showed, they will be serious contenders (they would have been anyways) to lift the World Cup for a record 6th time.

Neymar was the driving force behind their success with 4 goals, deservedly winning the Golden Ball award and silencing all his critics. Under the wily old Luiz Felipe Scolari, the Brazilians can only go up.

A word on Spain now. The golden generation suffered their first loss in a competitive game in 4 years. The final saw their passing game being overrun by the rampant Brazilians. However, with due respect to Brazil, this looked more like an off-day for the world champions, who had one less day than their hosts to prepare for the match, after an exhausting shootout win over the Azzurri.

However, the much maligned Fernando Torres did co-score a tournament high 5 goals, but with 4 of them coming against Tahiti. This may not mean too much in the long term, but if Spain have to defend their title, the Iberians will have to be back at their very best.

For now, Brazil can savour their success and Spain can lick their wounds. But their real test comes in a year and they better be prepared.