Brazil – Uruguay 26.06.2013

Brazil and Uruguay meet in the first semi-final of the FIFA Confederations Cup at Estadio Governador Magalhaes Pinto in Belo Horizonte.

With both teams being in a pretty good form this should be a very entertaining clash with quite a few goals scored.

Having outplayed Italy (4:2) in the last round of the group stage at Confederations Cup, host Brazil reached the semi-finals of the tournament. In order to advance yet another major tournament final Selecao need to defeat in-form Uruguay in the semis. After three comprehensive victories over Japan, Mexico and Italy Brazil are considered favourites in the clash against Uruguay, but this match will be everything but a walk in the park for five-time World Cup winners. Neymar will be surely a man to watch in this semi-final encounter, with Barcelona winger being in a promising form at the tournament, having scored three goals and making one assist. Brazil have not lost at home soil since 2002 meaning that a defeat against Uruguay would be a major surprise. In case of winning Brazil will play the winner from the other semi-final where reigning world champions Spain and Italy take on each other.

Uruguay, on the other hand, are brimming with confidence following two straight victories over Nigeria (2:1) and Tahiti (8:0) that secured them a place in the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup. With the likes of Edison Cavani, Luis Suarez and Diego Forlan up front the Uruguayans are likely to adopt another attack-minded approach when they take the field with the South American giants. Uruguay are on a six-match winless run against Brazil and the team will certainly put a lot of effort to put an end to this dreadful run. Luckily for Uruguay captain Diego Lugano missed the clash against Tahiti which was a walk in the park for La Celeste. Uruguay will probably lose this semi-final, but I believe that the team will score at least one goal in Belo Horizonte. Uruguay have not defeated Brazil since 2001 and it remains to be seen if they are capable of making a miracle this time.