RIO DE JANEIRO (Sporting Alert) — Brazil leads Spain 2-0 at half-time in the FIFA Confederations Cup final here at Maracana on Sunday.
Brazil v Spain Lineups, Live on ESPN and ESPN3.com
The on form striker Fred send the hosts into the lead after just two-minutes of action when he reacted quickly to a loose ball to lift over goalkeeper Iker Casillas while he was still on the ground.
Striker partner Neymar fired home the hosts second goal of the final in the 44th minute as the Brazil dominated the first half.
Fred could have also grabbed a second in the middle of the first half, but Casillas made a very good save with his foot, while Pedro saw his chance to score cleared off the line by defender David Luiz.
Spain, the Euro and World Cup champions, struggled to get their possession game going with Brazil pressing all the way and head coach Vicente del Bosque will need to make changes if his team is come back from two goals down.
Brazil v Spain
Brazil: Julio Cesar, Dani Alves, Thiago Silva, Luiz, Marcelo, Paulinho, Gustavo, Hulk, Oscar, Neymar, Fred
Subs: Jefferson, Fernando, Lucas Moura, Hernanes, Dante, Filipe Luis, Jean, Rever, Bernard, Jo, Jadson, Cavalieri
Spain: Casillas, Arbeloa, Pique, Sergio Ramos, Jordi Alba, Busquets, Xavi, Pedro, Mata, Iniesta, Torres
Subs: Valdes, Albiol, Javi Martinez, Azpilicueta, Villa, Fabregas, Soldado, Monreal, Cazorla, Silva, Jesus Navas, Reina
Referee: Bjorn Kuipers (Holland)
