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Brazil 2-1 Uruguay: Late Paulinho header books Confeds Cup final berth
Higuain close to completing Arsenal move, admits agent
FIFA Confederations Cup Semi-Final 2 2013.06.27
Spain Vs Italy
Pattama Talent 1kak
maxa deal ekak..Malaga will have an improved Isco in 5 years time
Spain 0-0 Italy (7-6 pens): Navas the hero in gripping shoot-out
Spain booked a date with Brazil in the Confederations Cup final with an 7-6 penalty shoot-out victory over Italy at the Castelao.
Although the World Cup holders stormed to a 4-0 win over the Azzurri in the Euro 2012 final, this encounter proved far more evenly-contested.
Vicente del Bosque's men monopolised possession but lacked a cutting edge in attack, while Italy missed numerous chances throughout as the match ended goalless.
With nothing to separate the two nations the game went to penalties, where Jesus Navas proved to be the hero as he scored the crucial spot kick as the shoot-out finished 7-6 to Spain.
Cesare Prandelli switched to a three-man defence and his side began impressively, despite letting the Spaniards control possession of the ball.
The Azzurri, though, with the Fortaleza crowd backing them, looked superb on the counter-attack. After Alberto Gilardino had failed to pick out the bottom corner from Antonio Candreva's cross, they became increasingly confident and forged yet more chances to find the net.
Christian Maggio was unable to guide a header from Andrea Pirlo's exquisite pass past Iker Casillas in the 17th minute and Daniele De Rossi's glancing header missed the target 60 seconds later.
In the 19th minute Claudio Marchisio missed the best of the bunch, though, as he nodded the ball well wide of the target from Candreva's cushion despite finding plenty of space between the two centre-backs.
That flurry of activity encouraged Spain to reduce the tempo and steady themselves, but the Azzurri were again next to test the opposing goalkeeper.
Jordi Alba was being nullified by the adventurous combination of Candreva and Maggio, and the latter was only denied a goal when a brilliant Casillas save kept his 36th-minute header out of the net.
Spain almost immediately punished Prandelli's side for their profligacy in front of goal one minute later, but after turning Andrea Barzagli in wonderful fashion Fernando Torres could not find a finish to match as he pulled his shot wide of the target.
With La Roja failing to show an increased threat immediately after the restart Del Bosque introduced Jesus Navas in the 50th minute. The new Manchester City signing had a positive impact, calling Gianluigi Buffon into action with a driven shot from 20 yards shortly before the hour mark.
The conditions began to sap the life from the game as Italy lost the intent on the break and Spain continued to lack creativity. Andres Iniesta attempted to take matters into his own hands, yet after a mazy run from the half-way line he sliced an attempt wide of the goal.
There were chances for both sides to win the game in normal time, though neither team could break the deadlock. Marchisio's attempt from a Candreva cutback was blocked by Gerard Pique before Pedro and the Barcelona centre-back wasted two great opportunities to work Buffon, and extra time ensued.
After three minutes of the additional period Italy had their best chance of the night. Maggio's cross rolled through to Emanuele Giaccherini at the back post, whose attempted shot crashed back off of Casillas' post.
The tempo to the game quickly picked up again and Iniesta's beautiful lifted pass over Leonardo Bonucci was volleyed over by Alba in the 99th minute as La Roja got nearer to breaking the deadlock.
With five minutes left to play Xavi was denied an absolutely magnificent winner when his long-range shot was turned onto the post by Buffon. The Juventus keeper was forced to make another save from Navas one minute later to ensure the game went to penalties.
Candreva got Italy off to the perfect start by dinking the first penalty straight down the middle and all subsequent spot kicks were scored until Bonucci skied from 12 yards with the score level at 6-6. Responsibility fell to Navas who slotted the ball home to send Spain into the final.
Spain will now take place in Sunday's final against Brazil at the Maracana, while Italy will contest the third-place play-off against Uruguay in Salvador on the same day.
Lewandowski exit no longer an issue, insists Kehl
The BVB skipper is confident that the Poland striker will continue to give his all for the club and has rued Mario Gotze's decision to join Bayern Munich Borussia Dortmund skipper Sebastian Kehl has insisted that Robert Lewandowski's potential departure this summer is no longer an issue for the Bundesliga side.
The Poland international was widely expected to join Bayern Munich ahead of the 2013-14 campaign, until Dortmund vetoed a move to the Champions League winners.
Much has since been said about the 24-year-old's future, but Kehl has stressed that the chapter has now been closed at last.
"Robert Lewandowski's situation is no longer an issue," Kehl was quoted as saying by Bild.
"He has already said last year that he will deal with the situation like a professional. He will give his all for Borussia Dortmund."
Kehl then went on to discuss Mario Gotze's transfer to Bayern Munich and stated that the attacking midfielder would have been better off staying at BVB for at least one more season.
"I believe that Dortmund and Bayern have grown closer together in the past few years from a sporting point of view. It would not have hurt Mario to stay put for one or two more seasons.
"Of course, it hurt a lot when I heard about his decision. It took me by complete surprise.
"The transfer gives us a lot of opportunities, though, and we will have to make use of it in a creative way. The team remains stable and will not be worse than last year. I even think that we will be better."
Dortmund have recently been linked with Henrik Mkhitaryan, Christian Eriksen and Kevin De Bruyne in their search for a replacement for Gotze.
The BVB skipper is confident that the Poland striker will continue to give his all for the club and has rued Mario Gotze's decision to join Bayern Munich Borussia Dortmund skipper Sebastian Kehl has insisted that Robert Lewandowski's potential departure this summer is no longer an issue for the Bundesliga side.
The Poland international was widely expected to join Bayern Munich ahead of the 2013-14 campaign, until Dortmund vetoed a move to the Champions League winners.
Much has since been said about the 24-year-old's future, but Kehl has stressed that the chapter has now been closed at last.
"Robert Lewandowski's situation is no longer an issue," Kehl was quoted as saying by Bild.
"He has already said last year that he will deal with the situation like a professional. He will give his all for Borussia Dortmund."
Kehl then went on to discuss Mario Gotze's transfer to Bayern Munich and stated that the attacking midfielder would have been better off staying at BVB for at least one more season.
"I believe that Dortmund and Bayern have grown closer together in the past few years from a sporting point of view. It would not have hurt Mario to stay put for one or two more seasons.
"Of course, it hurt a lot when I heard about his decision. It took me by complete surprise.
"The transfer gives us a lot of opportunities, though, and we will have to make use of it in a creative way. The team remains stable and will not be worse than last year. I even think that we will be better."
Dortmund have recently been linked with Henrik Mkhitaryan, Christian Eriksen and Kevin De Bruyne in their search for a replacement for Gotze.
Marotta: Tevez signing shows Juventus are back
The Bianconeri director believes the Argentina striker's arrival is an indication that they have become a desirable destination again for top players Juventus general director Giuseppe Marotta feels that the signing of Carlos Tevez is further proof that the Serie A champions are one of Europe's elite clubs again.
The Argentina international signed a three-year deal with Juve this week to complete his move from Manchester City and Marotta believes that the club's status played a big role in his decision to join the Turin giants.
"This deal is also a response to certain scepticism levelled towards myself and the club by certain people. The value and prestige of Juventus certainly helped convince Tevez to come here," Marotta said at a press conference.
"I still recall that just two years ago, many players turned us down. Instead, today, there are plenty of players, also important ones, who want to join us.
"Our success over the past two years and Andrea Agnelli’s arrival have brought new appeal to the club. We can say with pride that Juventus are now back where they belong."
Juventus beat Napoli to the Serie A title in 2012-13 after lifting the Scudetto ahead of AC Milan the season before.
The Bianconeri director believes the Argentina striker's arrival is an indication that they have become a desirable destination again for top players Juventus general director Giuseppe Marotta feels that the signing of Carlos Tevez is further proof that the Serie A champions are one of Europe's elite clubs again.
The Argentina international signed a three-year deal with Juve this week to complete his move from Manchester City and Marotta believes that the club's status played a big role in his decision to join the Turin giants.
"This deal is also a response to certain scepticism levelled towards myself and the club by certain people. The value and prestige of Juventus certainly helped convince Tevez to come here," Marotta said at a press conference.
"I still recall that just two years ago, many players turned us down. Instead, today, there are plenty of players, also important ones, who want to join us.
"Our success over the past two years and Andrea Agnelli’s arrival have brought new appeal to the club. We can say with pride that Juventus are now back where they belong."
Juventus beat Napoli to the Serie A title in 2012-13 after lifting the Scudetto ahead of AC Milan the season before.
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