| Brazil knocked world champions Italy out of the Confederations
Cup with three quick goals just before halftime to earn a 3-0 victory
on Sunday.
Strikes from Luis Fabiano after 37 and 43 minutes and an own
goal from Andrea Dossena just before the interval left the holders
top of Group B and set up a semi-final against hosts South Africa
in Johannesburg on Thursday.
But the fate of Italy hung in the balance until the dying moments
as it depended on the result of the match between Egypt and the
United States in Rustenburg.
The U.S., who started the night bottom of the group with no points
after two straight defeats, qualified ahead of Italy and Egypt
on goal difference following a shock 3-0 win.
The defeat completed a miserable tournament for Marcello Lippi's
men who were also beaten by Egypt and finished in third place.
It was also a bittersweet night for captain Fabio Cannavaro who
equalled Paolo Maldini's record of 126 appearances for his country
but was helpless to stop Italy conceeding three goals in the first
half of an international for the first time since 1957 when they
lost 6-1 to Yugoslavia.
Only goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and the woodwork stopped them
conceding as many to the Brazilians who head into the last four
having scored 10 goals in three group matches.
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