well for those who missed the game, I have been
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SPAIN wins 7-6 in Penalty Kicks. After zero goals in 120 minutes, Jesus Navas put in the 7th penalty to win the game after Bonucci hit the ball way over the bar giving Navas an attempt at the winner and the Seville midfielder coolly beat goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon to send Spain to another major final. Spain will meet Brazil on Sunday afternoon.
The semifinals of the Confederations Cup start yesterday at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN and 8pm local time with an intriguing matchup between arguably the best team in the world — Spain, and a comparable Italian side.
The last two minutes was a bomber and am sorry if you missed it I was practically screaming and jumping well that is not the issue hehehehe. In draining heat and humidity, each side hit the woodwork in extra time. Emanuele Giaccherini smashed a shot off the post in the 93rd minute and Buffon deflected a shot from Xavi Hernandez off the post in the 115th.
Oh how could I have forgotten to add this! shakira was in the stadium to support her "man" Gerard Pique who didn't disappoint as he defended the Spanish team vigorously. On several occasions he even attempted to score. He took a Penalty shot and didn't miss
Christian Maggio had the best chance of the first half in the 36th with a header inside the box that Spain goalkeeper Iker Csillas did well to block.
A minute later, Xavi Hernandez set up Spain's only real chance early on as Fernando Torres shot wide.
Reverted to a three-man defence, Italy coach Cesare Prandelli made another tactical move to start the second half, replacing centre back Andrea Barzagli with midfielder Riccardo Montolivo and putting De Rossi at the centre of the defence.
Seeking to inject some energy into his squad, Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque sent on Navas for David Silva in the 52nd and Navas had the first significant chance of the second half six minutes later with a long, low effort that Buffon controlled.
The roles reversed as the second half wore on, with Italy controlling more and Spain resorting more to counterattacks. Italy had a series of corner kicks at one point but had trouble producing chances.
Navas threatened in the 92nd with a long shot that appeared to surprise Buffon but the goalkeeper quickly recovered. A minute later, Giaccherini hit the post and then Jordi Alba volleyed high from close range as all of a sudden there was a flurry of chances.
In the shootout, Italy went first and Antonio Candreva, Alberto Aquilani, Daniele De Rossi, Sebastian Giovinco, Andrea Pirlo and Riccardo Montolivo each converted near perfect penalties for the Azzurri. Bonucci is a centre back who rarely, if ever, takes penalties.
However, Spain matched Italy shot for shot with Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta, Gerard Pique, Sergio Ramos, Juan Mata and Sergio Busquets each finding the target before Navas stepped up.
Buffon guessed right on Navas' shot but the ball was so close to the striker's left post that the goalkeeper had no chance.
However, Cesc Fabregas and Roberto Soldado are doubtful for the match due to muscle injuries. With David Villa and Fernando Torres likely taking their places, can Spain continue their dominance into the finals on Sunday? I tag it the clash of the titans who will emerge as the winner of the FIFA Confederation cup Spain or Brazil?
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