RIO DE JANEIRO (Sporting Alert) — Fernando Torres gets the starting nod up front for Spain in tonight’s FIFA Confederations Cup final with hosts Brazil.
Brazil v Spain Lineups, Live on ESPN and ESPN3.com
Torres got the nod over Roberto Soldado, who started two of the group games, and David Villa and will play alongside Pedro and Juan Mata, who comes into the side for David Silva to play in the attacking line.
As expected Sergio Busquets, Xavi and Andres Iniesta will dictate the action from the midfield.
Brazil, in the meantime, named an unchanged side from the team that defeated Uruguay in semi-finals. It was suggested that Hulk, who has been very unimpressive in the tournament so would have made way for either Lucas Moura or Caldeira Bernard, but he keeps his place.
Striker Neymar, like many others are looking forward to the clash between his Brazil team and world champion Spain.
“I was really looking forward to a final against Spain, and I don’t think I am the only one,” Neymar said. “We have the chance to test ourselves against the best team in the world and the defending world champions.
“We feel a mixture of respect and admiration for our opponents, but we need to impose ourselves and play our game.”
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)
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