Confederations Cup 2013
Brazil

Group A

Day 1 matches
15-16 June 2013

Brazil open in style
(Brazil 3 Japan 0)
The Confederations Cup got under way with an easy win for Brazil over Japan. The hosts got off to a flying start when Neymar slammed a volley into the top corner after only 3 minutes, but the fans had to wait until the 3rd minute of the 2nd half to see Brazil double their lead when Paulinho received the ball in the box, turned and lashed it in under the diving body of Kawashima. In stoppage time Oscar ran into the Japanese half and fed Jo who slotted the ball in for the third.

Peerless Pirlo points the way
(Italy 2 Mexico 1)
Mario Balotelli scored the winner to give Italy all 3 points in their opening match of the Confederations Cup at the Maracana. Andrea Pirlo making his 100th appearance for the Azzuri swung in a free kick in the 27th minute, but the Mexicans were level 7 minutes later when they were awarded a penalty and Hernandez sent Buffon the wrong way. Balotelli, who had tested Corona several times in the Mexico goal, showed strength and determination when the ball was lofted on towards him in the box to poke it past the keeper for the winner 12 minutes from time.

Day 2 matches
19 June 2013

Neymar the difference
(Brazil 2 Mexico 0)
A gaol and an assist from Neymar gave Brazil victory over Mexico. In the 9th minute a cross from the right was headed up by a Mexican defender into the path of Neymar who volleyed past Corona, but the floodgates did not open and Brazil had to wait until stoppage time when Neymar dribbled his way into the box from the left and laid the ball on for substitute Jo to slam home.

Spirited Japanese caught short
(Italy 4 Japan 3)
Italy came from 2 down to win a 7-goal thriller and knock Japan out of the Confederations Cup. The Japanese started positively and took the lead in the 20th minute when Buffon gave away a penalty reacting to a careless backpass and Honda slotted the ball home from the penalty spot. Kagawa spun in the box to volley past Buffon in the 33rd minute, but de Rossi powered in a header from a corner kick in the 41st minute and Giaccherini's strike against the base of the post on the stroke of half time was a sign of things to come. Five minutes after the break Giaccherini robbed a defender on the byline and whipped in a low cross that Uchida could only turn into his own net, and 2 minutes later Italy went ahead when the referee awarded a contentious penalty for handball and Balotelli converted from the spot. Japan equalised in the 69th minute when Okazaki got on the end of a free kick to head the ball past Buffon and almost took the lead in the 82nd minute when Okazaki's shot came off the post and Kagawa headed the rebound off the crossbar, but it was Italy who got the winner 4 minutes later when Marchisio got behind the defence and squared the ball to Giovinco who conquered the empty net. Japan thought they had equalised 2 minutes from time but their effort was chalked off for offside.

Day 3 matches
22 June 2013

Hernandez double sinks Japan
(Mexico 2 Japan 1)
Javier Hernandez scored a brace but missed a penalty as Mexico beat Japan to finish third in their group. The most notable moment of the first half came 5 minutes before the break when the unmarked Guardado smacked his header against the upright, but in the 54th minute he turned provider with a delightful cross for Hernandez to head in. Mier headed on a corner kick onto the head of Hernandez who doubled his tally in the 66th minute, but Japan pulled a goal back 4 minutes from time when Endo fed Okazaki who scored from close range off the keeper and bar. In stoppage time Kawashima saved a penalty from Hernandez who smashed the rebound against the bar.

Right said Fred
(Brazil 4 Italy 2)
A brace from Fred gave Brazil top spot in their group with a 4-2 win over Italy. In first-half stoppage time a free kick was floated onto the head of Fred who brought a save out of Buffon, but Dante was on hand to turn in the rebound, but Italy were on level terms 6 minutes after the break when a Balotelli back heel flick from a Buffon long ball released Giaccherini who drilled the ball across goal into the far corner. Four minutes later Brazil were ahead again when Neymar scored with a stunning free kick and in the 66th minute Fred latched onto a long ball, held off a defender and dispatched his shot into the roof of the net. Italy pulled a goal back in the 71st minute when a corner kick fell to Chiellini who picked his spot while Brazil thought the referee had blown for a penalty. The Italians came close to equalising in the 80th minute when Maggio smashed his header against the bar, but with 2 minutes left Buffon got down to save a shot from Marcelo and Fred was on hand to knock in the loose ball.