Confederation's Cup

The matches are being shown live on either BBC1 or BBC3

I'd put it onto the above, but it is in table form and it's simpler just to let you know. (And saves the risk of messing it up )

Well Italy certainly can't perform any worse than they did in South Africa 

Italy about to kick off against Mexico. Prandelli has picked a strong team. 10 of the 11 come from Milan/Juve with De Rossi the only exception.

Andrea Pirlo 100 caps. What a legend.

What a freekick Andrea Pirlo!!!

1-1 Hernandez penalty. Barzagli got himself into unnecessary trouble when it was easier to boot the ball clear.

Balotelli's goal gives Italy a 2-1 win in a decent performance.

Agree yeah, good performance. Pirlo's free kick was absolute magic, Balotelli did well for his goal too.

Watching Spain-Uruguay atm, 2-0 to Spain. They've been quality. And they play Tahiti later in the week 

Tahiti??????????  How many footballers do they have.


And  COMPLETELY off topic, well done to Justin Rose for winning the US Open.  Missed a lot of the Spain match watching it.

Spain won 2-1 in a rather spicey encounter. Saurez score a free kick as good as Pirlo's.

Well I didn't Zaccheroni was manager of Japan. And right now they are causing Italy some embarrassment.

Finishes Italy 4 -3 Japan. 

 But goodness knows how. They were 2-0 down ad the defence was bad. Japan were slaughtering Italy at times.  Buffon had the poorest game I have seen from him and could have been sent off at the pen, although I'm not sure of the foul.

But it was a fantastic game to watch!

First of all, what a game to watch!!

Italy were very, very poor for long periods tonight. 
Movement was lethargic and their ball retention was terrible, however, the grit and determination weshowed to get the result speaks volumes about the work Prandelli has done for Italy. W
inning when you play badly is a sign of a top side.

Amazing comeback!

Did you watch it after all mpc.  It really was a good match to watch, unless you had a heart condition, were the manager, or both!.

Who said Italian football was boring?

I watched the first half hour and then went to bed. I watched the highlights today on youtube. I will have to miss the brazil game as I am out on saturday night.

Watched it all last night. Thought Italy were actually really poor apart from the 10 mins before HT and the 10 mins after - but a win's a win!

Japan were really impressive, some very good players. They could quite easily have nicked it too, was unbelievable when they hit the post then bar straight after.

Spain won 10-0 v Tahiti.

I've just watched the highlights from last night. Brazil looked pretty good. Buffon could perhaps have done better with a couple of their goals. Giaccherini's goal was good.

There has been quite a bit of criticism of Buffon in this tournament. Suggestion is that age is catching up with him.  But he owes Italy nothing.

Second half was pretty entertaining, 1st was too disjointed and they were dropping like flies. The incident for Abate's injury looked totally innocuous but:

 http://www.football-italia.net/35636/confederations-over-abate

Can't see Italy beating Spain on their showings so far tbh.

I don't think Buffon was at fault for anything in the Japan game (won the ball for the penalty, no chance with the other 2) but yeah last night he perhaps should have done better with Fred's second and perhaps even Dante's. AM's right though, he's that much of a legend he should be beyond criticism!

Spain on Thursday then.......

The Azzurri were unlucky last night. Had a couple of chances first half that could, maybe should, have been put away, and then obviously Giaccherini's in ET. Although that was pretty unlucky.

And then 13 out of 14 penalties were placed to absolute perfection - just a shame about Bonucci's!

Encouraging stuff though overall.

I missed the whole thing as my TV and internet were down all of last night. I've watched the highlights and I agree with you FI, it is very encouraging.

Mi piace calcio wrote:

I missed the whole thing as my TV and internet were down all of last night. I've watched the highlights and I agree with you FI, it is very encouraging.

That's a bit of a bummer!

Just watched the 3rd place play off which was much more entertaining than these usually are. After 2-2 at full time a win for Italy on penalties, Buffon shoving his detractors' words back down their throats with his penalty saves.

I was apprehensive with no Pirlo, Balotelli but they played pretty well.

Italy got a lucky first goal, the ball deflecting of the goalie's back for Astori to make sure practically on the line, then Cavania equalized scoring across Buffon. Two great free kick goals, first from Diamante, a great swerver, then Cavani equalized on 77'. Montilovo was sent of 10' from the end of extra time for a second yellow card.

Then to pens, di Sciglio's was saved -as he set up to take a short run up you just knew he would. But Buffon was brilliant in the shootout.

So now that's over they can all get back to pre-season training. 

Brazil beat Spain 3-0 in the final. I didn't manage to catch the final or the 3rd place play off. I'll watch the goals on youtube.