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

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.