Group A

Kassid holds on to keep hosts out

Day 1 matches
14 June 2009

Open and shut
(South Africa 0 Iraq 0)
In the opening match of the Confederations Cup, Iraq played out a dull 0-0 draw against hosts South Africa who only came to life in the later stages of the match with Mashego breaking clear in the 79th minute but failing to get past Mohamed Kassid, and Parker inadvertently getting in the way of a Digkacoi goal-bound header to stop the ball crossing the line 5 minutes later.

Torres soars above Kiwis to head in hat-trick

Torres tears Kiwis apart
(Spain 5 New Zealand 0)
Fernando Torres scored a hat-trick within 17 minutes as Spain hammered New Zealand 5-0. Torres fired the ball into the top corner after only 6 minutes and when Villa cut the ball back from the by-line in the 14th minute Torres rolled in number 2 before picking his spot with a header to complete his hat-trick 3 minutes later. Spain opened up New Zealand's defence once again in 24th minute allowing Fabrigas a tap-in, and 3 minutes into the 2nd half Villa took advantage of a defensive howler to get on the end of a cross and pass the ball into the back of the net for the fifth goal of the night.

David Villa breaks the deadlock for Spain

Day 2 matches
17 June 2009

Slow Spain secure semi
(Spain 1 Iraq 0)
After the emphatic win against New Zealand in their opening match, Spain met a defensive Iraq and despite dominating the match in terms of possession were slow to get off the mark. David Villa, who had volleyed wide from close range in the 25th minute, found the target in the 54th minute when Capdevila crossed the ball for him to head unchallenged into the far corner for the only goal of the match which was enough to book Spain the first semi-final place.

Parker ball flies past Glen Moss

Parker double downs Kiwis
(South Africa 2 New Zealand 0)
Bernard Parker scored twice against New Zealand as South Africa registered their first win and goals of the tournament. Tsepo Masilela pulled the ball back for Parker to strike home in the 21st minute, and 7 minutes into the 2nd half, another delivery from Masilela came off the knee of Parker for a 2-0 home win.

Villa beats Khune moments after penalty save

Day 3 matches
20 June 2009

Record winners and happy losers
(South Africa 0 Spain 2)
Spain recorded their 15th consecutive international win after beating hosts South Africa who also reach the last four. South Africa who needed a draw to guarantee a semi-final place held Spain at bay in the first half, but conceded a penalty in the 51st minute. Itumeleng Khune pulled off a magnificent save to deny David Villa from the spot, but less than a minute later the ball was lofted into the box for Villa to bring down on his chest and volley into the far corner. In the 72nd minute Xavi's free-kick into the box was mis-cued by Fabrigas and turned in by Llorente to leave the hosts hanging on and nervously waiting for news from Iraq v New Zealand.

Easy catch for Moss against Iraq

Barren Iraq go home
(Iraq 0 New Zealand 0)
With Spain likely to defeat South Africa, a win for Iraq against New Zealand was a worthy task as a semi-final place beckoned. Iraq started positively with Emad Mohammed's 7th minute downward header bouncing up over the bar and Kiwi keeper Glen Moss blocking Younis Mahmoud 3 minutes later. Chris Killen was causing Iraq concern but unable to hit the target. Iraq increased the pressure in the 2nd half but could not trouble Moss in the New Zealand goal.

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