It is difficult to imagine any international competition without thinking of seeing Spain in the final four, or even the final two. Having claimed consecutive European Championships (2008, 2012) and the latest World Cup (2010), Spain is well on their way to yet another piece of silverware.
In their way will be an Italian side that has had some exciting moments on the international level, but this Spanish side has already shown that they can unlock an Italian back line that for years was known to cause problems for most opponents.
For Brazil, playing in their own country is already added pressure, but if we take a look at how they have played so far in the tournament, all signs point to Scolari leading his country to a Confederations Cup Final.
Arguably The Two Best Teams In The Tournament
If you go by FIFA Rankings, Italy and Uruguay would rank higher than Brazil, but the tournament hosts appear to finally be hitting their stride. They are creating chances and winning matches, which is what fans want. Obviously as a fan, especially of Brazil, you would expect beautiful soccer with breathtaking goals, but if that does not win you games, what is the point?
Just like when Scolari led his country to a World Cup title in 2002 after defeating Germany, the former Portugal and Chelsea manager seems poised to add even more silverware to Brazil's trophy cabinet.
A potential match against Spain would be something Brazilian fans will not have hoped for when the tournament kicked off, but it was a very likely scenario.
The Spanish are used to being in important matches, and although this is not the World Cup or even the European Championship, Del Bosque's side will want to claim a title that passed them by in 2009, when they were defeated by the United States.
Both sides will not be gifted a trip into the final, but a potential match between these two nations would really be something to watch and enjoy. One of the world's best teams, up against an up and coming Brazilian star who is looking to leave his mark at Barcelona next season.
Neymar Should Be Able To Lift Brazil To The Final
For so long there have been mixed emotions in regards to Neymar and his future. Some believe he will not cut it in Europe, while his biggest fans think he could be put on the same list as Messi and Ronaldo. Comparing the three is something that should not be done because they are all different, but I think I speak for most fans when I say that the La Liga campaign will be much more interesting with the three of them, that is if Ronaldo decides to stay at the Bernabeu.
The Brazilian forward finally put pen to paper with Barcelona, and judging by his latest performances in the competition, he looks ready to take the next step in his career. What a better way to kick start his Barcelona career than with a Confederations Cup, in front of his fans?
He has all the ingredients needed to make him a world class player, and while he may think or others may believe that he is already at that level, that is something that has yet to be seen. Until he proves it on the big stage, there will always be doubters, but over the last month or so, the former Santos player has really helped to silence some critics, even if it is just temporarily.
Spain Should Be Able To Cause Problems For The Italian Defense
When you think of the Spanish team, you think of their tiki-taka style of play. They have proven to the world that more often than not, they do not need a plan B, because their plan A works 9.5 out of 10 times.
While there have been teams who have figured it out, or think they figured it out, Spain has still managed to win the last 3 major international competitions. Claiming the Confederations Cup could not only take their status to the next level, but it could also give an already confident group of players an extra boost, heading into the World Cup next year.
Lets face it, Italy is not the same team they used to be when Maldini and co. were calling the shots. They are a different team, with a very different style of play.
Prandelli has been trying to implement a more offensive style of play, which leaves them vulnerable at the back, as we saw against Japan. For large spells of the match, the Japanese were really causing problems for the Azzurri, and had they not been unlucky on a few situations, Japan could argue that they deserved at least a point from that match.
This match will bring together two nations that you would expect to see in a final, but after battling for 90 minutes, or possibly longer, one of these sides will then have to take on either Brazil or Uruguay, with the host being heavy favorites to book their spot in the final.
Do you think Brazil and Spain will win their matches, setting up a clash of the titans in the final?
