2013 FIFA Confederations Cup

Interesting tweet from Mr Leiva himself.

@LucasLeiva87: Congratulations to all the brazilians that are protesting for a better country. I hope we keep fighting without violence...

Interesting tweet from Mr Leiva himself.

@LucasLeiva87: Congratulations to all the brazilians that are protesting for a better country. I hope we keep fighting without violence...

Lucas Leiva a man of the people!

Things seem to be getting ugly in Brazil. According to reports people have died in the protests

Things look to be headed this way:
Spain and Uruguay to go trough to semis in that order (unless Nigeria beats Spain, then depending on the Tahiti Uruguay scoreline, Nigeria could go trough, but this is unlikely)
Brazil and Italy already in semis, order pending on the match between them


Semis as follows, IF Brazil wins or ties with Italy:
Spain-Italy
Brazil-Uruguay


Side note: Uruguay is infinitely less powerful than Spain, so i bet both Italy and Brazil want to avoid them, but...


Uruguay has a soft spot for knocking out host nations, and we have a long tradition on doing so, staring in 1916.


Copa America 1916 Argentina, knocking out Argentina to become champions
Copa America 1920 Chile, knocking out Chile to become champions
Copa America 1926 Chile, again knocking out Chile to become champions
Copa America 1935 Peru, beating Peru to become champions
Copa America 1959 Ecuador, beating Ecuador to become CHampions
Copa America 1983 beating Brazil in Brazil to become champions
Copa America 1987 in Argentina beating Argentina to become champions
Copa America 2011 in ARgentina, again knocking out the hosts to become champions


World Cup 1950 in Brazil, beating Brazil to become Champions
Olympic games 1924 in France, beating the French to become Champions
Olympic games 1928 in Holland, beating the dutch to become Champions


The above only reflects the situations where Uruguay effectivly went on to win the championship, and does not include situations where we beat the host nation but didnt win it all (i.e South Africa 2010)


We are lousy guests    even when our squads are effectively weaker. Only god knows how we do it 

Final score 2-1 Uruguay. Boring match, Uruguay just defended the lead for 30 minutes.

I thought it was a decent match, but Uruguay were certainly holding on at the end.

Nigeria did well considering the players they had available, but Uruguay was always going to be a tad bit too difficult.

Imagine Uruguay without Suarez, Cavani and Forlan.. and you will understand what it is like for Nigeria in this tournament. Their best players injured and out of the team, and then to cap it off their last available striker got injured after only 30 mins into the game.

Italy manager Cesare Prandelli sorry for Mario Balotelli 'joke'

Italy manager Cesare Prandelli has apologised for saying that Mario Balotelli was the only player allowed out of the team hotel in Brazil because he is black.

Security advisors told the squad they should not leave during protests that have marred the Confederations Cup.

Prandelli said the AC Milan striker was permitted to leave the hotel because his "colour is different to ours". But he later said: "I'm sorry. It was a joke. Of course."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23012368

Things seem to be getting ugly in Brazil. According to reports people have died in the protests

This could result in a change of destination for the world cup.

This could result in a change of destination for the world cup.

Not a chance

Great game tonight, but sh*t commentators.

But I guess it will be a draw so both teams go through.

This could result in a change of destination for the world cup.

As QG says, not a chance.

Great game tonight, but sh*t commentators.

But I guess it will be a draw so both teams go through.

As QG says, not a chance.

Remember whoever wins avoids spain in semis...

Not the first time i see neymar injuring a defender, actually ive seen it too often

Remember whoever wins avoids spain in semis...

Not the first time i see neymar injuring a defender, actually ive seen it too often

Glad he has gone to Spain, reminds me of Ronaldo, very good player whilst being a cheat.

Glad he has gone to Spain, reminds me of Ronaldo, very good player whilst being a cheat.

Fake or original? Fat ronnie was phenomenal!
I love neymar as a player, but i dont like that aspect of his game. Still, any league would be better with him playing

Dante scores . Offside not called brazil 1- 0

No, not Fat Ron, the other one.

Not too happy that Brazil have just scored.

Come on Italy.

Ref been good, taking no prisoners and dishing the yellows out too.  Would love a Red for a Yellow.

Dante scores . Offside not called brazil 1- 0

After watching it again too close to call. Good decission

Nice 1-1.

Good flick from Baloteli.

Boss free-kick from Neymar

2-1

Boss free-kick from Neymar

2-1

Bollocks. (Sorry Diego)

Seems to be turning into a decent game now.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

3-1 now! Good strength by Fred to hold off Italian defender and powerful finish.

Neymar answering his critics this tournie. Boss

3-2, becoming a classic.