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Wednesday Evening Ticker: Brazil advances to Confederations Cup final; Tevez introduced at Juve; and more

Paulinho (AP)

By JUSTIN FERGUSON

As tens of thousands of protesters continued their clash with police in the streets, the Brazilian national team continued its quest for another Confederations Cup title with a dramatic win over South American rivals Uruguay on Wednesday.

Brazil punched its ticket to the final by defeating the Copa America champions 2-1 off a late header from midfielder Paulinho. Although he did not find the back of the net like in Brazil’s three group matches, Neymar played a huge part in the winner by sending in the 86th-minute corner kick to his goal-scoring teammate.

Despite controlling a large part of the possession and receiving a boost from a Julio Cesar save of a Uruguay penalty, it took Brazil over 40 minutes to find the opener. The normally quick-scoring Brazil scored right before halftime off a combination play from Paulinho and Neymar. While the winger’s first attempt was saved, striker Fred was there for a scuffed rebound.

The lead only lasted a few minutes into the second half as poor defensive work led to a 48th-minute equalizer from Edinson Cavani. The match, which contained five yellow cards, became even more physical down the stretch as Brazil pressed for a winner.

The Selecao found it with four minutes left, and they now will face the winner of Thursday’s semifinal between Spain and Italy on Sunday.

Here are some more stories from around the world:

TEVEZ INTRODUCED AT JUVENTUS

Carlos Tevez was greeted by hundreds of cheering fans and the No. 10 jersey in Turin on Wednesday as his move to the back-to-back Italian champions was made official.

Manchester City and Juventus have agreed to a £10 million deal for the Argentine striker that could be £12 million with add-ons. Tevez has signed a three-year contract with the Italian giants.

Tevez scored 74 goals in 148 appearances for Manchester City, who he joined in 2009 from bitter rivals Manchester United for a transfer fee of £47 million. He had a tumultuous relationship with former manager Roberto Mancini, and the striker once left the club for several months in the 2011-12 season after an incident in a Champions League group stage match against Bayern Munich.

The move leaves Manchester City with only two first-team strikers, Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko. The club will reportedly save around £27 million as a result of the Tevez sale.

U-20 WORLD CUP: ENGLAND HELD TO ANOTHER DRAW, IRAQ RALLIES TO WIN

They are down, but the Three Lions are not out of contention in the FIFA Under-20 World Cup after a 1-1 draw with Chile.

Harry Kane’s second half equalizer gave the England U-20s hope of survival in the tournament as they sit in third place of Group E with two points. Nicolas Castillo put Chile up in the first half with a solid penalty conversion, and Bryan Rabello came close to a late winner when his shot cannoned off the crossbar.

In the other Group E match, Iraq recorded a 2-1 comeback win over Egypt to grab a knockout qualifying spot. Iraq, who rallied from two down to draw with England in the opener, got a 79th-minute winner from Mohanad Abdulraheem on a fantastic individual effort.

In Group F, Uruguay cruised past New Zealand in a 2-0 win. Croatia and Uzbekistan stayed level in the group’s top two spots after a 1-1 draw.

QUICK KICKS

Manchester United have announced that longtime first-team coach Rene Meulensteen has left the club. (REPORT)

Steven Gerrard told Liverpool’s official website he will be healthy for the start of the Reds’ preseason campaign. (REPORT)

Gonzalo Higuain’s brother—and agent—told reporters that the Argentine striker is close to joining Arsenal from Real Madrid. (REPORT)

An estimated 8,000 fans were on hand for Bayern Munich’s first training session under new manager Pep Guardiola. (REPORT)

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What do you make of these reports? Think Brazil will keep the Confederations Cup title at home on Sunday? How do you see Tevez fitting in at Juventus? What U-20 results today stood out to you?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. The gifs around of Neymar flying in 89th minute when he is barely touched are hilarious, I posted one in the match commentary post, not going to repost but ya was a slight overreaction.

    Reply
  2. Brazil is just a shell of what it was last Confederations Cup. Uruguay just simply sucks. Peru is going to stomp all over them in Lima and take the 5th place spot temporarily. Italy is not even close to what it used to be. Spain is the best side for obvious reasons. And Mexico PPSSS what a joke. I’m just going to relish it all in when Donovan on the left an Zusi on the right just tear el Tri apart on September 10 2013 in Columbus. I’m going to love it.

    Reply
    • kildman, you know brasil and Italy have about half of all the world cups ever won. spain has one, which is one less than Uruguay. simple facts are helpful in keeping perspective. but if spain wins in brasil next summer, then that changes everything.

      Reply
      • Well said, dikranovich.

        This is an odd World Cup coming up. No one seems strong enough to win it. Obviously someone will. For Spain, it’s something big. No one has one back to back before. No European team has won it in South America before. With the back-to-back Euro win last year, Spain effectively made a statement it was more than a flash in the pan. But they looked awful shaky at times last year, as in old and figured out, and it seemed improbable then the Spaniards could make a serious run in 2014. Now, maybe not so improbable.

        However, they will probably have to beat a relatively less talented but extremely determined, street-fighting Brazilian team (among others) to do that. The finals here in 2013 could help build up part of next summer’s drama.

      • 2014 is Spain’s to lose and Brasil’s to steal. Germany could make a smash-and-grab while no one’s looking. Sadly Argentina doesn’t seem to have it’s act together, nor does it look like it will any time soon.

        Then again, if the planets align just right we could see a USA- Egypt final.

      • Actually Brazil won back to back world cups in 1958 and 1962. Also Italy in 1934 and 1938 although those are somewhat dubious, especially the one in Italy.

      • Yeah, I am aware of their milestones but that does not chance the fact that Brazil is just not that great, Uruguay sucks and Italy is shell of what they were.

      • dikranovich, it will be interesting to see if Spain can win it. They have the talent. I like Germany or Spain on paper but games are not won on paper and there are always upsets. One thing, if the U.S. is healthy and can defensively be solid, I think they can surprise some teams. I’m not saying they will win the WC, but they will make U.S. fans proud. I just have they funny feeling that 2014 will be special for U.S. soccer fans wherever they are .

    • Spain is the best side for obvious reasons? Germany would beg to differ. Not saying they are better but it is close between the two. Also Germany is much better at a critical postion, GK.

      Reply
  3. USA big win tomorrow!!! But please get that Monica Gonzalez out of there. She’s just terrible. Her pro Mexican soccer comments are annoying. Monica, Mexico sucks!!!!!! That have for awhile !!!!!!! They’re out of the Confed Cup and are going to be out of the U-20, theeeeyyyyy suckKKKKK, Monica. Please, no more excuses for your favorite national team.She should have stayed home to bake cakes or something.

    Reply
  4. I cant wait for this Higuain thing to be over, really think he’ll add to Arsenal but they need to close this so they can continue to add

    Reply
  5. IF we win tomorrow, two reults need to go our way since we our currently the 6th best 3rd place with a -3 GD. I’d say our best options are a

    South Korea win vs Nigeria

    Colombia win vs El Salvador

    Mexico win or tie vs Mali

    Reply

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