Monday, 1st July, 2013

Brazil’s third consecutive Confederations Cup triumph has been hailed as an example for the rest of the country to come together despite their differences in the current socio-political climate, according to coach Luiz Felipe Scolari.

The 2014 World Cup hosts sent out the strongest possible message for next year when they wrapped up a 3-0 win against Spain at the Maracana last night, even as protests continued outside the stadium.



Brazil has been rocked by civil demonstrations against the government’s apparent apathy towards the common man, but for a country whose passion for football is unparalleled, Scolari is confident the win will provide a massive boost.

"What the players did for us on the field, was fantastic and wonderful", Scolari said in his press conference after the match. "We have to have that as a principle in our country – of friendship and unity – to do things that can help us evolve and grow.

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"[This title] was not planned. We know there is a championship that is much stronger than this next year, despite there being four world champions [in the Confederations Cup].

"But this is a road that we will travel with confidence."

Brazil’s star man Neymar won the Golden Ball award for being the best player of the tournament and he was adamant the victory, as a whole, was merely a precursor for next year.

The 21-year-old was playing against several of his future Barcelona team-mates last night, as he scored Brazil’s second goal and took his tournament tally to four in five games with four assists.

"Brazil have shown the world that the Brazil national team is back", he said. "We showed that we deserve respect with a great win over the world’s best.

"I am so happy about the way the team played – it was even better than any of us could have expected."

Scolari’s Spanish counterpart Vicente del Bosque, meanwhile, admitted his team had been second-best to potential World Cup winners.

The Spaniards were forced not only to a 3-0 defeat, but also to watch Sergio Ramos miss a second-half penalty with Gerard Pique sent off later for a last-gasp tackle on Neymar.

"I will not make excuses because [Brazil] have been better", Del Bosque said. "Brazil have proven themselves to be one of the favourites to win the World Cup.

"This is a defeat that hurts and that we must analyse, but without losing sight of the journey that has given us so much success in recent years. This is a loss, but it is not a full stop."

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