The Brazilian forward got his team on the scoreboard a minute into the second half, and from there it was a matter of how long the Americans could hold on.  The answer was another 28 minutes before Luis Fabiano put in his second goal, a crucial header that tied the game and set up a spectacular finish.  Brazil would eventually get their third goal, the game winner off the head of Lucio, which sealed the deal and gave the Samba Boys another Confederations Cup.  Luis Fabiano would earn the Golden Ball as the tournament’s top scorer, along with “The Stat Line Of The Night” for Sunday, June 28th, 2009.

After a somewhat disappointing showing in the last World Cup, Brazil will surely use this as a stepping stone to bounce back for next years tournament in South Africa.  With a new class of talent showing that they are ready to step in a lead the soccer-crazed nation, they will likely go into next years FIFA World Cup pegged as “the team to beat.”

Rossi would be substituted into the game for Gennaro Gattuso at the 57th minute of the second half and took just 50 seconds to make his mark on the game.  Stealing the ball from Clint Dempsey at midfield, he would head towards the US goal, and fire a shot from 30 yards out which found the top corner.  That goal would tie the game and the Italians would add another before Rossi sealed the deal with his second of the night in extra time to make the final 3-1.  Rossi’s performance was just what Italy needed to spark their offence, overcoming a scare from the Americans and earning himself “The Stat Line Of The Night” for Monday June 15th, 2009.

The Italians now sit at 1-0 in the tournament, tied atop the division with Brazil, who narrowly avoided a huge upset at the hands of Egypt.  Rossi is one of the few players on the Italian team playing outside Serie A, but this Villareal product showed a flare last night that will surely have caught the attention of coach Marcello Lippi.

Soccer is not known for its goal scoring, so when a player gets three it is worthy of our praise.  What is even more incredible is when a player scores those three goals consecutively within the first 17 minutes of the game.  Yes, it was that easy for the Liverpool striker and his teammates.  Torres would start the party off early with a goal in the sixth minute.  Another would follow in the 14th minute, and he would conclude his show three minutes later with the natural hat-trick.  El Nino would not get to score his fourth goal, and would eventually be taken out of the game at the 70th minute to the roar of the crowd.  All the buzz in South Africa was around him and he did not disappoint, making him the “The Stat Line Of The Night” for Sunday June 14th, 2009.

This tournament invites the winners of several different continental tournaments around the world to battle it out.  Spain has two remaining games against Iraq and New Zealand, so expect mush of the same from Torres and the gang.  Will they ever play a “real” team?  Yes, but they will have to wait until the knockout rounds when they may meet the likes of Italy, Brazil, or the USA.