Confederations Cup finals: USA vs. Brazil

Sports

Confederations Cup finals: USA vs. Brazil

United States in first international soccer championship game against Brazil for Confederations Cup on June 28, 2009, in South Africa.

Landon Donovan (right) is congratulated by U.S. Clint Dempsey as the Americans grabbed an early lead in the Confederations Cup final against Brazil Sunday in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Brazil's goalkeeper Julio Cesar stretches out in a futile effort to stop the goal by the U.S.'s Clint Dempsey in the opening minutes of the matchup.

U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard makes one of several impressive saves from Brazil's relentless attack.

USA's Jonathan Spector (left) vies for the ball with Brazil's Robinho.

U.S. players celebrate Clint Dempsey's goal in the first period that gave the Americans a 1-nil lead early in the matchup.

Brazil's goalkeeper Julio Cesar goes low as U.S. striker Landon Donovan unleashes a goal-scoring kick that gave the Americans a 2-nil lead. Donovan is the all-time leader in scoring and assists for the U.S. team.

Brazil's goalkeeper Julio Cesar fails to block a goal by USA's Landon Donovan.

Brazil's goalkeeper Julio Cesar can only watch as the ball bounces into the goal off the foot of the USA's Landon Donovan, which gave the Americans the 2-nil lead in the first period.

USA's Carlos Bocanegra (right) assist goalkeeper Tim Howard in a save.

Brazil's Luis Fabiano strikes a liner that gets past U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard in the opening minute of the second period.

Brazil's Luis Fabiano celebrates his first score against the U.S. team. Fabiano finished as the Confederations Cup leading scorer with five goals in the tournament.

U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard is forced into the net on Fabiano's second goal for Brazil, tying the match in the 74th minute of play.

Brazil's Luis Fabiano (left) protests the stop by U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard. Howard was awarded the save by referees. TV replays, however, showed the ball might have indeed crossed the goal line.

Clint Dempsey (right) could not block the header by Brazil's Lucio in the 85th minute of play, which gave Brazil the lead and eventual 3-2 win.

Heartbroken U.S. players Landon Donovan, Tim Howard (center), and Jonathan Spector soak in the loss to five-time world champions Brazil.

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Landon Donovan (right) is congratulated by U.S. Clint Dempsey as the Americans grabbed an early lead in the Confederations Cup final against Brazil Sunday in Johannesburg, South Africa.

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