Spain’s defender Sergio Ramos (left) and midfielder Santi Cazorla celebrate after defeating Italy in the penalty shoot-out at the end of the extra time of their Fifa Confederations Cup semi-final football match, at the Castelao Stadium in Fortaleza in Brazil, yesterday.
FORTALEZA, Brazil: Spain will play Brazil in the final of the Confederations Cup after beating Italy 7-6 on penalties in the second semi-final in Fortaleza yesterday.
All of the first 10 players to step up to the spot scored, leaving it down to sudden death, and it was Leonardo Bonucci who was first to miss at 6-6 all before substitute Jesus Navas dispatched the winning kick beyond the reach of Gianluigi Buffon.
The final, against the tournament hosts, will be in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday. Brazil moved into the final of the Confederations Cup on Wednesday following a tense and dramatic 2-1 victory over Uruguay.
Following another day of protests in Belo Horizonte, where anti-government protesters clashed with police, the nation’s football players gave its people some brief respite.
A late header from Paulinho was enough to push the samba stars over the line in a game where it was given a huge scare by its South American rival.
Diego Forlan squandered a glorious opportunity from the penalty spot in the first half before Fred fired Brazil ahead.
Edinson Cavani leveled after the break from close-range, but Paulinho’s late effort sealed his country’s place in the final.
Agencies
