By DAN KARELL
After a recent rare day of no soccer, the Confederations Cup kicks back into action on Wednesday afternoon with two high-profile matchups.
Brazil face a beleaguered Mexico side in the Estadio Castelao in Fortaleza in the first match of the day. El Tri kept the game close during their last match against Italy until the strength of Mario Balotelli proved the difference. Against Brazil, they’ll once more have to face an impressive combination of speed (Neymar, Dani Alves, Oscar) and strength (Fred, Hulk, Thiago Silva). The game is a re-match of last year’s Olympics tournament final, which Mexico won, 2-1.
In the second match of the day, Italy faces Japan in the Arena Pernambuco in Recifi. A win for the Italians will almost qualify them for the knockout round of the competition, while the Japanese squad will need three points to keep their hopes alive.
If you will be watching today’s action, please feel free to share your thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play in the comments section below.
Enjoy the action (Today’s TV schedule is after the jump):
3pm – ESPN/ESPN3 – Brazil vs. Mexico
6pm – ESPN/ESPN3 – Italy vs. Japan
italy looks awful. way to go Japan.
What a goal!
Italy is a trainwreck!
Wow Italy has completely lost the plot. Balotelli intentionally handballs a long ball out of the air and then screams at the referee for calling it.
Acquilani just cheap shots a Japanese player and is immediately pulled in the 30th minute.
I’ve got Balotelli red card over Balotelli goal for sure right now.
Buffon didn’t do everything right though.
I say this over and over again, but getting the ball is no excuse for taking out the man. Did Buffon get the ball? Definitely. He also left his feet and went straight through the attacking player as well.
Why go to ground? Why not just kick the ball out? Anytime you leave your feet going into a 50/50 ball you’re putting yourself at risk of getting a lot of man. He got a LOT of man after the ball.
Could it be harsh? Sure, since many times those tackles are let go. Can their be argument it’s not a legitimate foul? Not a chance.
I’m rooting for Japan but… I did not think that was a penalty
That was not. But from the moment it was, the card should have been red.
Two mistakes in a row.
Giaccherini is so short lol
I think Neymar will do quite well at Barcelona, especially with players like Xavi and Fabregas supplying him. Seeing what he did for Brazil and Santos really makes me wonder what he’s capable of doing with a midfield like Barcelona’s, especially in a league as technical as La Liga.
It’s clear Barca is pissed off at not making it to the CL final two years running. They are the favorites in la liga and odds on favorites to take back the Champions League Cup now that they have Neymar Jr.
Who do you commit defenders to now if you’re playing Barca, Neymar or Messi?
I’m guessing Iniesta lines up behind him in their formation, he’s awesome on that left side….
Oh who cares…like it’s gonna matter
Rooting for Italy now to beat Japan…..Italy vs Spain for semifinal would be nice to watch….although watching Mexico vs Spain would be fun too… watch Mexico get destroyed.
OK Ives, you can mark that Neymar @ssist as “MUST-SEE.”
I was a Neymar doubter until the Confed Cup. HE torched that Mexican fullback all night.
I thought that Mier did good most of the match frustrating Neymar.
Hm, perhaps we were watching different games
No,
sometimes people look at things differently. Neymar was kept at bay for nearly 90 minutes, with an early goal, and a late game assist. Mier did not do too badly against who is obviously a world class player. We’ll have to look at opta though to see how Mier did.
If an American defender got beat countless times, including for one goal and an assist, he would get relentlessly reamed on these boards. I’m sure Mier did shut down Neymar a few times, but he clearly did not frustrate him. This was one of Neymar’s best games in the Brazil shirt
ESPN, and others rated Mier highly for the match.
Fuera Chepo.
I don’t think it happens because of Confed Cup which they will bow out of after Italy take care of Japan. How does Mexico manage the rest of the summer and especially WCQ is what will determine Chepo’s future.
El tri is conceding a lot in Gold Cup but they have to in a way after playing so many games with their senior team.
he absolutely has to make sure Mexico do well in the Gold Cup. otherwise, it’ll be interesting.
Dos a cero!
Wow. Just as the commentator discussed his highlight reels Neymar creates another one.
Neymar with a delicious performance today, so freakin tasty
Well that was amazing by Neymar
while i don’t condone playacting, i completely understand why a player like neymar will try and sell all contact — this guy gets destroyed constantly with little recourse
I agree, some of those fouls are horrible and reckless and he should play it up a bit to encourage a yellow card, however incidents where nothing happened such as the elbow to the face which didn’t happen are annoying.
seriously this is some BS coming from mexico with the attempts to injure Neymar
nice dive neymar. he’s nasty, but such a little bia sometimes.
Mexico looks much better this half than the first half, than against Italy, and really better than their WCQ performances. Hate it but I gotta give it to them.
and again…Marcelo not able alone with Dos Santos and Barrera both
Bam! Barrera gets by 2 defenders, serves it in there. Brazil must respond to this and adjust or pay the price maybe
yeah, good call when he was introduced: exactly as you said.
thanks man
these guys are pulling out the weirdest social references–but dani alves heismaning someone is one of my favorite
What I have never seen and what I haven’t read is how gritty Neymar is. All those fouls on him by Mexico are being reciprocated in kind. Kid’s got a mean streak…I like that. Reminds me of Beckham in that he’ll play good clean ball until he needs to do otherwise.
good call man. I can definitely see it, that feisty competitor stuff, willingness to give it out
Neymar is going to be in good hands with Messi in getting advice at how to handle being fouled 4381040391431 times a match.
going to be fun to watch those guys play together
Barrera the 1v1 specialist on…where does Chepo match him up? Alves or Marcelo? Probably Marcelo right, he prefers the right flank correct? we’ll see
it’s on Mexico’s right flank, to partner with Dos santos on Marcelo’s side. Marcelo will need help from his midfield
Man Mexico would score so many more goals if they’d just look for Hernandez at every turn. Idk if it’s magic or what have you, but seriously the guy is wide open like 50% of the time in the box when Mexico is taking 30 yard shots.
Chicharito sucks!!!!!!!!! You are the dope that said that he is better than Altidore. Get serious. You are a joke.That little frijolito could not create if his life depended on it.
Another cheap shot by Mexico. Howard Webb is definitely letting Mexico knock Brazil around hard.
Word.
what a run by Paulinho! really thought that was going to be a goal.
slalomed the whole team…awesome!
did he get clipped there at the end or just roll himself?
I think sometimes the early goal can deceive the scorers, make it seem too easy…not always but sometimes with less mature teams. Not talking about secific players, but Brazil as a team gave a somewhat similar performance in their first game…they seem to lose their intensity, get too happy with themsleves
forcing desperation blocks like that one from Luiz
what a miss from Hulk…Neymar an absolute joy to watch in this one so far
Brazil is falling apart again.
But wow is Neymar the fastest player in the world? He is effortlessly blowing past everyone and anyone.
mexico doing a good job of taking the crowd out of this game.
They are. There is a disgruntled mumbling going on.
that last sequence of chances woke them up but mexico doing well to keep pressing. luiz with an epic interception.
it was needed, Hernandez I believe it was on the doorstep waiting to pounce
per usual…lol
always just waiting to strike.
agreed
how many fouls is that made on Neymar right there by Salcido from behind? I think it’s five so far
Brazil really doesn’t look very good. I think they play too lackadaisical half the time, and I think their midfield is nowhere near good enough to control the game. I also think Lucas Moura would be an upgrade over Hulk.
I don’t think Hulk has offered too much.
Just his muscles
Gio is really giving the hosts some problems. He is moving the ball well.
Maybe you are just too anti-Mexico.
Maybe I love my country too much.
Wow!!! Anti-Mexico = Love your country? Can’t help you there.
I just can’t stand pro-mexico bias in ESPN. I had stop seeing the game.
uhm, neutral fan here. I don’t really see a mexican bias from ESPN….
I do. ESPN trying sell it to American fans.
i don’t agree.
i should clarify, the commentators are absolutely pro-mexican, but i don’t think they are being overly pro-Mexico.
Brazil should just play with 10 for the next 5 minutes, kill the time off and figure out what to do at halftime regarding Luiz’s nose.
Holy crap Neymar is fast! That was insane.
Yeah, and you have crap coming out of your mouth every time you speak.
Brazil isn’t even pressing Mexico in the midfield. It’s probably just for design so they can counter, but I wish they would just control the game like they are capable of.
Mexico falls on the ground every time a Brazilian player touches them.
Mexico has stabilized things a bit and are moving the ball quickly through midfield. It is giving them a bit of space to run at the defenders.
Holy cow…..Neymar’s first touch on that long ball was unreal.
Wow Mexico should be down a man point blank. Bush league crap from Mexico.
dark arts specialists
Ref was looking right at nilo too! Just puts his studs right into Neymar’s back when he had 10 yards to avoid him lying on the ground.
Blah.
Wow the Brazilians are fast. We all know about the technique and flair but for sheer quickness, they are scary.
Great shot and save….El Tri looking super shaky early on.
another cracker…wow
Brazil showed up with the heat early, fired up and yelling at the crowd. intense. let’s see what happens now after that emotional release after scoring
Yeah I think Neymar is going to be just fine at Barcelona. He’s like a Golazo machine.
You must have a poster of him and Dos Santos on your wall.
Mr. Neymar. Technique Grade: A+
Neymar! Filthy…
ESPN ScoreCenter App:
“Mexico tries to improve chances for World Cup berth as it takes on Brazil in FIFA Confederations Cup.”
“Italy can boost chances of earning a World Cup berth by defeating Japan in FIFA Confederations Cup; Japan has already qualified for World Cup.”
Going to cry.
Honestly, it’s pretty horrendous.
Really!
In typical ESPN fashion I bet they have a separate department for apps and social media with no connection to their sports journalists.