Confed Cup final as it happened

GOALFLASHES AND MAJOR INCIDENTS (all times BST)

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2158: End of. Hope you enjoyed the Confederations Cup, wouldn't it be lovely if the final stages of the World Cup were as entertaining in a year's time? I'm done, but not for long - see you tomorrow for the final of the European Under-21 Championship. It's only Germany v England. Sweet dreams.

2154: The 2010 World Cup in South Africa starts in 347 days, 1 hour and four minutes. Excited?

From GrahamPollCrackers on 606: "If you saw Sepp Blatter kiss Kaka before the match, you would understand why he was given player of the tournament honours. Was he the best player? No, Luis Fabiano was. But Kaka was the favourite player."

2146: Brazil ascend the steps at Ellis Park, with the grinning Robinho leading them up. They enjoy their moment on the winners' podium and Selecao captain Lucio holds aloft the Confederations Cup trophy.

2143: USA's players go up to collect their medals and the poor boys look devastated. There are about nine dignitaries they have to shake hands with, rather pointlessly.

2140: It's prize giving time: Luis Fabiano wins the Golden Boot for top scorer, Tim Howard Golden Glove award for best goalkeeper,Clint Dempsey Bronze Ball for third best player, Luis Fabiano Silver Ball for second best player and, absolutely ridiculously, Kaka the Golden Ball for tournament's best player. He's top drawer, but no way on earth should he win that prize.

USA coach Bob Bradley: "It's a tough one. Obviously we had a good first half but we conceded so early in the second we got ourselves into a tough spot, it really hurt. I'm extremely proud of the players and playing these kind of games only helps, but I still feel kinda lousy."

From Paul, Earth, via text on 81111: "Christ Stevo, you got your predo right! Unbelievable! Well done USA, you made me interested in what must be Fifa's most pointless tournament."
Well done to Niall in N Ireland, too - he put £15 on Brazil when they were 2-0 down. Wish I had.

2134: The Brazilians are kneeling down in a massive circle, linking arms, seemingly offering prayer in the process. Lucio looks like a preacher, and half of them are wearing Jesus t-shirts. I wonder if England will do the same if they win the World Cup?

2132: USA must have a horrible sense of deja vu. In 2003, they were perilously close to beating Brazil in the Concacaf Gold Cup semi-final in Miami. Leading 1-0, Kaka scored in the 89th minute to take it to extra-time, where Diego won it with a penalty.

From Farslayer on 606: "All credit to the USA. You have made this tournament a lot more exciting than it normally is!"

Lee Dixon on BBC Three: "Those celebrations from Brazil showed you everything about how much it meant - Lucio was in tears at the end. Brazil really took the game to USA in the second half and they ran out of steam, you have to feel a bit sorry for them. It wasn't cagey at all though, it was a brilliant final."

2122: Full-time USA 2-3 Brazil
Fabulous performance from USA and they can be very, very proud of their achievements over the past couple of weeks, but the best team won the tournament in Brazil. Great comeback, thoroughly deserved. Bring on 2010.

2121: A minute left and Brazil are playing keep-ball, USA can't get anywhere near it. Cruel.

2119: We are into injury time at Ellis Park and there will be three minutes of it.

From Zack, Newcastle, via text on 81111: "I'll have a pint of what you have been drinking! Maicon has to be the best attacking full-back in the world right now and he is actually one of those rare footballers with end product!"
Tea, would you believe? Can we beg to differ? Nice one.

2116: Last throw of the dice for America as they bring on Conor Casey for Ricardo Clark. He's a striker, but wearing four, which is a little silly. No sooner has he come on than Oguchi Onyewu heads a US corner over the bar. Last chance?

2115: There are less than five minutes left of normal time, and USA suddenly have to find a goal to keep their hopes alive.

2113: It was coming, you'd have to say. Elano whips over a corner from the right and eight yards out the giant Lucio has a free header, thumping the ball in off Tim Howard's right-hand post. What a game of two halves.

GOAL USA 2-3 Brazil

2111: Robinho turns into some space just outside the USA box and fizzes a right-foot shot a couple of yards over. Good try.

From kiki1875 on 606: "The Confederations Cup may not have the glorious history or the pomp of the World Cup but it does tend to be a more entertaining tournament. Teams and players are not inhibited and feel free to play fast, flowing, attacking football."

2109: We've got 10 minutes of normal time left and it's 2-2 between USA and Brazil in Johannesburg. Where's your money? Mine's still at 1919 BST...

2107: (See 2055) Just to clarify - that doesn't mean I don't rate Maicon - I actually think he's a superb footballer. But like him or loathe him, for the last two or three seasons Dani Alves has been absolutely sensational.

2105: Jonathan Bornstein and Sacha Kljestan have come on for USA in place of Benny Feilhaber and Jozy Altidore.

2103: Brilliant from Kaka and Brazil are level. He turns on the acceleration down the Brazil left and races past Jonathan Spector, sending the ball along the six-yard box where Robinho somehow shins it on to the crossbar and Luis Fabiano is in the right place to head the rebound home.

GOAL USA 2-2 Brazil

From Anthony, via text on 81111: "Slightly off topic, but if Gianfranco Zola is worrying about who can replace Lucas Neill, why not Jonathan Spector? He has looked good in this tournament."

2100: Tim Howard comes to his team's rescue once more, as Luis Fabiano is played onside by Oguchi Onyewu he spots the danger and races off his line to save the striker's poke goalwards. Brilliant goalkeeping.

2058: Kaka is showing his dark side tonight, no doubt about it. He's half-lashed out a couple of times and now he moans about being fairly tackled, poor stuff from the £56m man. Lucio is booked for a little shove and he's not happy, either.

2055: Er, no. Ricardo Clark lashes one in from 20 yards that Julio Cesar parries away. Brazil make a double change, with Ramires and Andre Santos off and Elano and Daniel Alves on. How Davi Alves can ever be left out beats me. He's embarrassingly better than Maicon.

2054: With the vuvuzelas in full use and the stadium buzzing with their cacophonous sound, Brazil are swarming all over USA. Is it a matter of time?

From De-Loper on 606: "Fair play to Tim Howard. He may have performed badly at the start of the tournament, but since the Egypt game he has been blinding. The way he held Spain at bay was awesome and so far he is showing his talents again tonight. With these performances he must be attracting attention from some of Europe's elite."

2049: Brazil think they have equalised, but they haven't. Andre Santos crosses to the back post from the left and Kaka heads into the ground - Tim Howard punches it off the line and grabs on to the loose ball. Replays show the entire ball may well have crossed the line - real drama in Jo'burg.

2047: A corner from the Brazil left is headed goalwards by Lucio and after Tim Howard makes a good reflex save, Gilberto smashes the bouncing ball over with his left foot. Two half-chances there.

2046: Brazil have the likes of Daniel Alves and Alex Pato on the bench, so it's fair to say they have options. Just over half an hour left and it's USA 2-1 Brazil.

2042: Landon Donovan is looking like the player the Americans have always told us he is. Another fabulous turn gets Charlie Davies away down the USA left but the move breaks down with a lazy Clint Dempsey pass.

2041: USA coach Bob Bradley is looking on anxiously from the sidelines. His country had never previously led Brazil at half-time in 15 meetings and their one full-time win came in 1998.

2038: This is going to be all Brazil from now on. Can USA hold out for 41 minutes and win the Confederations Cup? It's looking a big ask right now.

2035: Yeah, fair to say they are keen to win, then. Luis Fabiano collects the ball on the edge of the USA box and in one super-quick motion turns and slams the ball into the bottom corner with his left foot. Interesting.

GOAL USA 2-1 Brazil

2034: Can Brazil make it interesting? No changes at the break and we are back under way at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, with USA leading 2-0.

2031: So maybe Brazil won't be too bothered after all - I mean, no team that has ever won the Confederations Cup has gone on to win the following World Cup.

From Wot Kuyt 'e did on 606: "I'm really enjoying the USA's style of play. No play-acting, card-waving, playing innocent to the ref, etc. Just good physical football. I hope all the "stars" in the homelands of football are watching and learning."
Join the debate on 606

From Dan, Edinburgh, via text on 81111: "Do you think David Beckham will lay claim to the improvement in US football being down to him?!"
Haha. Isn't it?

Garth Crooks on BBC Three: "They seemed to me to be a side that feels a bit sorry for themselves, Brazil. They've had no creativity, they are laboured - they've been poor, really poor. I'm very disappointed with them."

2019: Half-time USA 2-0 Brazil
What a truly remarkable 45 minutes of football that was. Brazil have it all to do - are USA going to win their first global tournament in this sport? They just might, you know.

From The Unused Substitute on 606: "I'm stunned. Genuinely stunned. That second goal, ironically, had a bit of Brazilian magic about it."

2014: Robinho crashes in a left-foot shot from an angle 15 yards out that Tim Howard casually flicks over the US crossbar. Brazil are dominating possession, but clear-cut chances still at a premium.

2012: Luis Fabiano runs just offside and the Brazilians are growing increasingly frustrated. They are probably as disbelieving as the Spanish were on Thursday. Where has this USA team come from??

2010: Andre Santos is booked for a tug back on the arm of Jozy Altidore - once you get the wrong side of Jozy, you ain't getting that ball back, the kid's physical strength is awesome.

2008: Andre Santos forces a save from Tim Howard at his near post after being slipped in by Robinho, before crossing moments later for Luis Fabiano to head over from eight yards.

From slogger_6 on 606: "USA's fitness, strength and pace is unbelievable. Wonderful goal. Brazil have really under-estimated the USA. Never ever under-estimate a team that has just beaten the world's best."

2002: Two-nil is a dangerous score, I think we all know that (or 3-0 if you're England U21s). But Brazil have a mountain to climb now - and USA have proved they can play on the break with speed and no little class. Game, on.

2000: That is an absolutely brilliant breakaway goal - and USA have incredibly doubled their lead. Brazil are attacking relentlessly and they give the ball away - Landon Donovantakes possession, finds Charlie Davies and races forward, collects Davies' return pass, takes a brilliant touch to create room on the edge of the Brazil box and fire left-footed into the far corner past Julio Cesar. Phenomenal.

GOAL USA 2-0 Brazil

1959: Felipe Melo is booked and he cannot believe it - moments earlier his fierce shot was parried away by Tim Howard, I have absolutely no idea why he was cautioned.

1957: Brazil are spending most of their time probing, waiting for an opening to present itself. But the two banks of American four are making life ever so difficult once more - there just isn't any space to play in.

1954: Crikey, I know he's probably going to smash one in the top corner from 40 yards after I say this, but this guy Ramires - he's been a shambles so far and he was against South Africa, too. He crosses, out of play for a goalkick. Hopeless.

1952: Carlos Bocanegra takes one for the US team, getting the wrong side of Kaka and then trying to haul the playmaker to the ground with a rugby tackle.

1950: I swear I woke up last night with the sound of vuvuzelas ringing in my ears, a cruel joke for my sub-conscious to play. I might set up my own ear plug company in Jo'burg ahead of next summer.

From abrighterview on 606: "That's the goal every neutral wanted. Ten minutes in, Brazil have to open up the taps now and look for goals. USA will have a taste for it, a feeling that they can win it, so if and when Brazil equalise, they'll push forward as well. Excellent."

1947: Jeepers - Landon Donovan whips over a corner from the right and Carlos Bocanegra has a free header, but his effort is deflected behind. It's been mostly Brazil, but USA could be 2-0 up.

1945: Kaka turns majestically into space in the centre circle and then slides Robinho into space down the left - the Man City man gets into the box and forces a low save from Tim Howard.

1943: I'm not even joking. USA have their first attack of the game and it's enough to go in front. Jonathan Spector swings over a cross from the right and in space, Clint Dempsey - on the volley - helps the ball on its way towards the far corner and past the despairing dive of Julio Cesar.

GOAL USA 1-0 Brazil

1940: Robinho swings over a corner from the left and Kaka, who has wiped Sepp Blatter's slobber off his face, glances wide at the near post. Doesn't he always look so well-groomed, Kaka?

BBC Sport's Simon Austin on Twitter: "Must be the biggest crowd of the tournament here at the 62,500 Ellis Park, but still quite a lot of empty seats as there have been throughout."

1937: USA have gone with the two lively boys up front in Charlie Davies and Jozy Altidore - and that's a fairly attacking set-up against a team like Brazil. How much will they miss the banned Michael Bradley in the midfield?

From Fact Jack on 606: "Really touching speech from Foe's son. Brought a tear to my eye. RIP."

1933: The vuvuzelas are in full use as we kick off at Ellis Park.

1931: That really was quite an emotional moment as Foe's son, Marc-Scott, read out a message of thanks for the support he and his family have received since the untimely death of his father.

1928: We've had the anthems - and there's a tribute to Marc-Vivien Foe too, the Cameroon midfielder who died tragically aged 28 during a Confederations Cup semi-final in France in 2003. His son, wearing a 'Foe 17' Cameroon shirt, appears with the two sets of players as a message is read out over the tannoy, while he reads a message out of his own. Touching stuff.

1924: Good to see Fifa president Sepp Blatter doesn't have favourites, anyway. He's one of the guests of honour and shakes hands with all 22 players - stopping to kiss one, Brazilian superstar Kaka. Kiss him. For God's sake.

1923: But these Yanks, they don't give up easily. They have already produced their best Confed Cup result by reaching the final and have only failed to score in one of their last 18 internationals. Though that was against Brazil in a Group Stage pounding 10 days ago.

1921: There's no doubt that if all the stars and planets are aligned, Brazil will walk off with the trophy in Jo'burg tonight. They have beaten USA 14 times in their 15 previous meetings, are unbeaten in their last 15 games and have won seven in-a-row. I wonder when the USA last ended a similarly impressive run...

1919: Stevo's Predo: USA 2-3 Brazil

From Phil, Baker St, via text on 81111: "I love football in the summer. Looking forward to rushing home from work and seeing the second half. It also brilliantly fills the Wimbledon rest day! C'mon USA and Fulham's Clint Dempsey."

BBC Sport's Simon Austin on Twitter: "Both teams on the pitch going through their final warm-ups. Pretty cold in Jo'burg and Kaka is one of several Brazil players wearing some wool."

From blueboyrob on 606: "No team has ever won the Confederation Cup then gone on to win the World Cup the next year. With Brazil being such a superstitious nation, I feel we may see some Brazilians waving a US flag tonight ;)"

1910: But let's focus on USA and Brazil and who will win the eighth Confederations Cup for now. I hope they've brought their A-games, and I hope you have too. Texts to 81111, debate away on 606.Missive me up, people, missive me up.

BBC Sport's Simon Austin on Twitter: "Already a deafening din of vuvuzelas at Ellis Park. There are a lot of Brazilian flags in the stands but no sign of the stars and stripe ..."

1906: USA v Brazil line-ups:
USA: Howard, Spector, DeMerit, Onyewu, Bocanegra, Dempsey, Clark, Feilhaber, Donovan, Davies, Altidore.
Subs: Guzan, Bornstein, Califf, Wynne, Pearce, Beasley, Kljestan, Adu, Torres, Bradley, Casey, Robles.
Brazil: Julio Cesar, Maicon, Lucio, Luisao, Andre Santos, Ramires, Felipe Melo, Silva, Kaka, Luis Fabiano, Robinho.
Subs: Victor, Juan, Kleber, Dani Alves, Miranda, Josue, Julio Baptista, Elano, Kleberson, Alexandre Pato, Nilmar, Gomes.
Referee: Martin Hansson (Sweden)

1904: Still aren't convinced by this tournament? Then you obviously didn't watch the third-place play-off. 1-0 down with two minutes to go, Daniel Guiza's quickfire brace appeared to have turned it round for Spain, until Katlego Mphela rocketed a truly magnificent 30-yard free-kick into the top corner with the last kick of the game to earn South Africa extra-time. Oh, Spain won 3-2 in the end.

1900: Foregone conclusion? There's no such thing - just ask Spain. Welcome to the Confederations Cup final, where Brazil are expected to comfortably beat USA and win the trophy for the third time. Something tells me, however, that it might not quite pan out like that...