INTERNATIONALS: SPAIN TO MEET BRAZIL IN CONFEDERATIONS FINAL

Juan Mata, Fernando Torres and Cesar Azpilicueta are celebrating after Spain beat Italy on penalties to reach the Confederations Cup final on Thursday evening.

A 0-0 draw in Fortaleza, in which Torres played the first 94 minutes of the 120, and Mata was introduced as a substitute after 79, ensured the second semi-final would end in a shootout and it was the Spanish who emerged triumphant, booking themselves a final spot against hosts Brazil on Sunday.

Torres came close to breaking the deadlock before the break, firing narrowly wide, while in extra-time Mata almost connected with a Javi Martinez cross but could not reach the ball. That meant penalties, and the Chelsea number 10 converted his effort for Spain, who eventually won in sudden death when Jesus Navas fired home following Leonardo Bonucci’s miss.

It promises to be an exciting encounter, when David Luiz and Oscar, coached by Luiz Felipe Scolari, meet the Spanish trio in Sunday’s final.

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