It was a tale of two halves.  Over the first 45 minutes, the U.S. continued to shock the world; leading Brazil 2-0 at halftime.  But during the second 45 minutes, Brazil stormed back with three goals to defeat the U.S., 3-2.

Less than a minute into the second-half, Luis Fabiono scored and then headed in another to tie the match.  Lúcio scored a goal of his own to give Brazil the win, and their third FIFA Confederations Cup title.

After a disappointing initial two matches for the U.S., the Americans fought their way into the final with wins over Egypt and Spain.  A well played first half, and a 2-0 lead had the South African crowd and American fans wondering if a Confederations Cup title was within reach.

Continuing his recent goal scoring run, Clint Dempsey put the Americans up early with a 9^th minute goal coming off a Jonathan Spector cross.

Landon Donovan later added to the U.S. lead on a counter-attack.  Donovan streaking down the field, took a pass back from Charlie Davies, beat his defender to the left and placed a low, near-post shot to bring the score to 2-0.

With the title only 45 minutes away, the Brazilians came out firing.  Fabiono, the tournament’s golden boot winner, received an early second-half pass, turned and beat Tim Howard to the right corner of the goal in the 46^th minute.

The Americans appeared to catch a break in the 60^th minute, as a Kaka header appeared to cross the goal line.  The referee waived play-on as the Brazilian side protested the non-goal.

Fabiono would strike again, with a 73^rd minute header of his own.  Howard did well to stop another Brazil attack but the rebound was headed in to tie the score.

Coach Bob Bradley then tried to add a spark to the tiring line-up with 75^th minute substitutions of Jozy Altidore and Benny Feilhaber for Sacha Kljestan and Jonathan Bornstein, respectively.

To no avail, the Americans were unable to muster much attack for the remainder of the half.  Bradley’s side spent much of the half trying to hold off the Brazilian comeback effort.  Lúcio completed the Brazilian resurgence, heading home a corner kick for the 3-2 lead.

After the match, Kaka was awarded the golden ball award, given to the tournament’s best player.  Fabiono, the golden boot winner, was also awarded the silver ball award.  A clearly emotional Dempsey was given the bronze ball award for his goal scoring of late for the American side.  After another spectacular effort, to some what of a surprise, but still deserving Howard was awarded the tournament’s golden glove award.

In the third place match, Spain defeated South Africa 3-2 in extra time.

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