The exciting 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup is unfortunately over as the final matchday witnessed 2 dramatic matches with identical scorelines that justify football's place as "The Beautiful Game." The 3rd place game was a Thriller.
La Furia Roja and Bafana Bafana played an extra time affair whose drama started in the 2nd half with some fire from a couple of subs. Neither team could establish their advantage until the 73rd minute when South African substitute Katlego Mphela scored from a Siphiwe Tshabalala centering pass to give South Africa the 1-0 lead.
Spain's own super sub Daniel Güiza came on for Fernando Torres and scored a pair of goals a minute apart in the 87th & 88th minute. Güiza's 2nd goal was a GOLAZO as the Turkish based striker buried a well-placed looping shot over South African keeper Itumeleng Khune.
The crowd in Rustenburg were headed for the exits when Mphela blasted a marvelous free kick 3 minutes into injury time as the GOLAZO sent the 3rd place match to extra time and breathed hope into the home side.
The match was eventually decided early in the 2nd extra time period when Xabi Alonso's bending free kick bounced past Khune into the back of the net. Spain held on to claim 3rd place in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup with a 3-2 win. South Africa's performances against Spain & Brazil were excellent and gave South Africans justified hope for a memorable showing in 2010.
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