Spain v USA
Wednesday 24th June 2009
Mangaung/Bloemfontein
Confederations Cup
Spain
Spain capped off an impressive group stage in the 2009 Confederations Cup by defeating hosts South Africa 2-0 on Saturday.
The win means that Spain finish undefeated and top of their group, with three wins from three matches. The victory has also given Spain a world record of 15 consecutive international wins and 35 straight matches unbeaten.
Spain have scored eight goals in the tournament and have conceded none so far. David Villa and Fernando Torres are the team's joint leading scorers with three goals apiece. Cesc Fabregas and Fernando Llorente have also contributed with one goal each.
USA
USA qualified for this semi-final match in a hugely dramatic and unexpected fashion, with their 3-0 victory over Egypt and Italy's 3-0 loss to Brazil on Sunday night enough to put the US through on goal difference.
The USA have won one match and lost two in the group stages, to qualify second in Group B behind Brazil. They scored four goals and conceded six so far in the tournament.
Landon Donovan, Charlie Davies, Clint Dempsey, and Michael Bradley have all contributed with a goal each for the US team.
Prediction
Spain have looked largely untroubled in the tournament, and indeed, in most of their international fixtures of late. Their brilliant retention and usage of possession in their matches has almost made some of their victories look effortless.
With the Spanish team in fine form and strikers Fernando Torres and David Villa hungry for more goals, the USA's good fortune may soon run out when they face the European Champions in this semi-final match.
The US will undoubtedly put up a good fight in this encounter, but Spain will enter the match as heavy favourites to book a spot in the final against either Brazil or South Africa.
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