Spain FIFA

Spain

Estadio Maracana, Rio de Janeiro

Not the biggest of the tournaments, but certainly one that may just complete ones International accolades. The FIFA Confederations Cup, Brazil has turned out to be a tournament which did not really bring about any upset but showed the potential of teams who might just go the distance in a year’s time. Italy in particular missed Mario Balotelli against Spain; nonetheless, they matched them with their game and it wouldn’t be exaggeration to say that they even dominated a major part of the match. Brazil on the other hand edged past a spirited Uruguay despite a brilliant performance by Cavani. Neymar, Barcelona’s new poster boy, played a key role in their journey till the finals.

Brazil

Winner of the first ever Confederations Cup and the defending champions will be prepared for Spanish onslaught. The renovated Marcana stadium will host their favourite team against the European Champions. During his previous stint, the former Chelsea manager played a fluent 3-5-2 with Cafu and Roberto Carlos providing able assistance on either side. This time, he has Alves and Marcelo – very different from their predecessors. The way these two have played is certainly not upto their usual high standards but they still have a year’s time to go. In the middle Thiago Silva has proven his mettle along with David Luiz who has been erratic. Scolari has been a strict disciplinarian and perhaps for such reasons left out Ronaldinho and Ramires – two players who could have added the spark to this Brazilian team.