Third place win in South Africa

Fernando

A tournament with many twists and turns, this Confederations Cup tournament is sure to go down in history as one of the most suspenseful and shock worthy tournament to date.

After claiming defeat past Wednesday when they faced of the USA, Spain was now going to have to show why they are considered the best against local South African team on Sunday.

The game proved to be difficult, with Torres only playing for under an hour as he worked with all his heart and passion to grab another goal before the tournaments end.

Torres best chance to tip winning favors towards Spain came in the 20th minute, when Torres beat two defenders but his shot was pushed behind by Khune. It was a great solo effort from the striker who only denied by a moment of brilliance from the South African keeper.

Things really came alive in the seconds half of the game as Villa scored a goal for La Furia Roja only for it to be disallowed for being offside. Though later in the replay, you can clearly witness that the midfielder was level with the last defender.

Finally at the 57th minute Vicente Del Bosque decided it best to put in some fresh blood and had a double substitution – taking out Torres and Villa and playing Silva and Guiza instead.

Taking the lead at the 73rd minute, Mphela crashed the ball past Casillas from two yards out. It was two goals in as many minutes as a Guiza cross floated over the South Africa keeper an in off the far post.

Spain looked to have turned things around with two late strikes from Dani Guiza, but amazingly there was still time for one more twist. Mphela scored his second of the game lashing a stunning free-kick beyond Casillas’ desperate drive and into the top corner. There was no time for any more action as the referee blew for full-time.

Going into extra time the first part didn’t produce any goals, it was only till the second portion did we see a goal from the Spanish side courtesy of Xabi Alonso. Throughout the rest of the match, Spain kept a firm control over the ball and clinched the win and the thrid place.

- Match Stats: South Africa 2-3 Spain

South Africa: Khune, Gaxa, Booth, Mokoena, Masilela, Sibaya, Dikgacoi, Pienaar (Mphela, 64), Tshabalala (Mhlongo, 84), Modise (Van Heerden, 69), Parker

Booked: Pienaar, Masilela

Goals: Mphela 74, 90+3

Spain: Casillas, Arbeloa, Albiol, Pique y Capdevila, Busquet (Llorente, 81), Xabi Alonso, Cazorla, Riera, Villa (Guiza, 57), Torres (Silva, 57)

Booked: Busquet, Pique, Llorente

Goals: Guiza 88,89, Xabi Alonso 107

Written By: Diana

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