Pro Eleven Headline News

Spain secures semifinal spot

Spain became the first team to lock up a spot in the semifinals of the Confederations Cup on Wednesday as they downed Iraq, 1-0 on a goal from David Villa in the 54th minute.

Iraq was very well organized in defense and did well to hold out for as long as they did against the European champions, but after a few missed opportunities, Villa finally cashed in on a cross from Joan Capdevila.

The win leaves Spain two points clear of second-placed South Africa in Group A after the hosts beat New Zealand, 2-0 on Wednesday in their second match.

The top two teams will play their final match of the group stage on Saturday with South Africa needing a draw to advance, while Iraq needs a big result against New Zealand and a South Africa loss.

Iraq's defense held out for a 0-0 draw against South Africa in the opening match, and they were able to keep the high-powered Spain attack off the scoreboard in the first half despite a few decent chances.

Sergio Ramos delivered a good cross from the right wing in the 25th minute to Villa at the back post, but he fired his open volley off the outside of the net from eight yards.

Five minutes later, Spain came close again as Santi Cazorla found space 30 yards from goal and sent a shot skipping just wide of the right post.

Villa could have given his side the lead in the 52nd minute, but he shot the ball straight at goalkeeper Mohammed Kassid from six yards, but he atoned for his earlier misses three minutes later.

Capdevila took the ball on the left wing and floated a cross to the front of goal for Villa, who turned a header inside the right corner from eight yards.

Kassid's goal came under pressure in the 79th minute as the keeper made a save on Mata at close range, while Ramos nearly found the net in the 87th with a well-struck volley that sailed over the crossbar.

Iraq had a chance to equalize late in the match, but Nashat Akram drove a shot wide of the left post with two minutes to play, extending Spain's unbeaten streak to 34 matches, which is just one short of Brazil's record of 35 set from 1993-96. Sportsnetwork.com


Brazil and Italy set to join Spain in semi-finals

Brazil and Italy will join Spain in the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup if they both maintain their 100 percent records in Group B on Thursday.

Although both made shaky starts in their opening matches on Monday, Brazil should beat the United States and Italy should overcome Egypt which would give them both six points and mean they cannot be caught at the top of the group.

World champions Italy meet African champions Egypt at Ellis Park in Johannesburg (1830GMT) while Brazil, the South American champions, meet the CONCACAF champions United States at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria in the day's first match (1400).

Brazil needed a last-minute penalty to overcome Egypt 4-3 in a thriller in Bloemfontein on Monday, a narrow escape their coach Dunga blamed on fatigue.

Italy, who had to overcome a halftime deficit before they beat the Americans 3-1 in Pretoria on Monday, could have Fabio Cannavaro back in the side after injury following his return to fulltime training.

Although the 2006 World Cup winners dominated the second half against the U.S., Italy coach Marcello Lippi highlighted several concerns as he looked ahead to the match against Egypt.

"I was surprised by the tension in our game early on but we finally managed to get the ball moving, though the ball possession was not as much as I would have liked," he told reporters.

Spain secured their place in the last four on Wednesday after they beat Iraq 1-0 in Bloemfontein. South Africa beat New Zealand 2-0 in the day's other Group A match. Guardian.co.uk