Players React As Brazil Edges Us For Confederations Cup

Brazil beat the US to win the Confederations Cup after a thrilling final in Johannesburg.

At Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg, Brazil and the United States played a thrilling final match to close out the 2009 Confederations Cup.

The U.S. took an early 2-0 lead through goals by Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan, but the Brazilians struck back before a raucous crowd to take a last gasp 3-2 victory and claim their second straight Confederations Cup crown.

USA's Landon Donovan (r) after scoring second goal against Brazil, with fellow team member Clint Dempsey during the Confederations Cup final, 28 Jun 2009After the match, Donovan said the U.S. team was disappointed at the loss after having been ahead early.

"We are proud of the effort we put in," said Landon Donovan. "But we need to learn tonight that you do not get chances like this very often and, unfortunately, we let them slip away."

The fans were treated to a spectacular match in which the Americans stunned the favored Brazilians with two early goals.  Seleccao of Brazil came out fast in the second half with Luis Fabiano scoring a goal in the first minute.

Fabiano added a second midway through the half, before Lucio put the game winner home off a corner kick with only a few minutes to play.

Brazilian defender, Felipe Melo:

He says that despite being down early in the game, his team never lost faith.

In the Confederations Cup third place match, Spain edged hosts South Africa, 3-2, in extra time.  Thirty-two teams will return to South Africa next year to play the World Cup.