Neymar stars again as Brazil put four past Italy
Confederations Cup, Group A, Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador – Italy 2 (Giaccherini 51, Chiellini 71) Brazil 4 (Dante 45+1, Neymar 55, Fred 67, 89)
Fred struck a brace and Neymar notched another world-class goal as Brazil beat Italy 4-2 to top Group A and maintain their 100 per cent record in this year's Confederations Cup at the Arena Fonte Nova.
The host nation took the lead on the stroke of half-time when Dante came off the bench to tuck in the rebound after Gianluigi Buffon had denied Fred with a stunning stop.
Italy fought back and levelled just after the break when substitute Emanuele Giaccherini latched onto a Mario Balotelli flick to coolly drill a low shot into the far corner.
Neymar then made it three goals in three matches with a sublime curling free-kick before Fred raced onto Marcelo's astute pass to thump high into the roof of the net.
The Azzurri kept pushing and set up a dramatic finale when Giorgio Chiellini swept into the bottom corner after Brazil had failed to clear a right-wing corner.
Christian Maggio then hit the bar with a free header before Fred wrapped up victory when he fired in a rebound late on.
It means Brazil look likely to avoid Spain in Wednesday's semi-final in Belo Horizonte where they will face the Group B runners-up. If, as expected, the world champions finish first in that pool they will meet the Azzurri 24 hours later in Fortaleza.
Both sides had come into the contest safe in the knowledge that they would each feature in next week's last four.
Six points from their respective opening two matches meant that the mouthwatering clash in Salvador was a showdown to see who could seal top spot in Group A and avoid a potential last-four meeting with an irrepressible Spain team.
The Italians were missing their inspirational playmaker Andrea Pirlo through injury and it showed in the opening exchanges as Brazil raced out of the traps.
First, Hulk was denied by a smart save from Buffon before Oscar saw a long-range piledriver whistle just past the upright via a deflection.
It was a five-minute spell that would have had the whole of Italy quaking but the Azzurri recovered to keep the hosts at bay for much of the half.
As an attacking threat they offered little, although Balotelli would have hoped to have done better when he miscued at the near post following a persistent run and cross from Claudio Marchisio on the left.
The rhythm of the half was effectively marred by a flurry of injuries and substitutions as Cesare Prandelli was forced to make two changes prior to the half-hour mark while Dante came on to replace Chelsea's David Luiz for Brazil.
The Bayern Munich defender was making only his fourth appearance for his country but marked it with a maiden strike when he gave the Samba Boys the lead in first-half stoppage time.
Buffon did brilliantly to keep out Fred's free header from Neymar's free-kick, but could do little to deny Dante who stroked home the rebound from what appeared to be an offside position.
The second half began similar to the first with Brazil on the front foot. Oscar tricked his way into the area and exchanged a tight one-two with Fred before toe-poking a shot straight at Buffon.
However, it was Italy who were next to show with a route one goal that caught the Brazilians napping.
A long ball by Buffon was flicked into Balotelli, who produced a sensational back-heel flick to free Giaccherini on the right. The Juventus man surged into the box before drilling a low shot across goal and into the far corner.
Brazil responded and four minutes later they restored their advantage courtesy of the player of the tournament so far. Neymar won a free-kick 25 yards from goal and brushed himself down before curling a sublime shot into the top corner that had Buffon rooted to the spot.
It was the Barcelona striker's 23rd goal in 37 internationals and another cameo of why he is so highly rated in his homeland.
The spring in Brazil's step returned and 23 minutes from time Fred made it three when he raced onto Marcelo's pass, held off Chiellini and crashed a shot high into the roof of the net.
But Italy refused to give up and they pulled a goal back four minutes later when Chiellini coolly fired into the bottom corner from Alberto Aquilani's lay-off.
Maggio then hit the bar with a thumping header from a right-wing corner before Brazil finally made sure of the points when Fred steered into an empty net after Buffon had spilled Marcelo's low shot.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Fred (Brazil) - A battling display from the striker who brought his barren run to an end with two well-taken goals.
PLAYER RATINGS
BRAZIL: Cesar 6, Alves 6, Luiz 6, Thiago Silva 7, Marcelo 7, Luiz Gustavo 6, Oscar 6, Hernanes 6, Fred 8, Hulk 6, Neymar 7. Subs: Fernando 5, Dante 7, Bernard 5.
ITALY: Buffon 6, Chiellini 7, De Sciglio 6, Candreva 6, Aquilani 6, Marchisio 6, Balotelli 7, Montolivo 6, Bonucci 6, Abate 6, Diamanti 6. Subs: Maggio 7, El Shaarawy 5, Giaccherini 7.
