Brazil vs Spain, dreamfinal of Confederation Cup, would be played at Maracana tonight.

            Historical Maracana is all set to welcome two current football giants of world football on its lap during the final frontier of Confederation cup would be played at 7-00pm Brazilian local time( IST Monday 3-30am) .

              It can be easily described as the battle between Latin America & Europe, battle between tiki-taka & samba.

               Regarding the current circumstances it’s going to be a dream final for all football lovers. Five times World Champion & the three times previous champions of the same tournament as well as current holders since last 2 editions of Confederation Cup, Brazil is going to take on the unstoppable current sensation of world football & the current world champion as well as back to back Euro champion in last two editions Spain. The only trophy remains to have in the Spanish locker since last 5 years, that is the Confederation Cup only.

               Spain is unbeaten in last 29 matches, they have not lost any match since their group league defeat against Switzerland on their opening match of World Cup 2010.

              Meanwhile Brazil remain unbeaten in their last 10 matches moreover they have not lost a single competitive match at their home since 1975.

             Brazil have won 4 out of 8 encounters between these two teams while Spain managed to win twice only & 2 of them finished as a draw.

              Both sides have kept their 100 winning record in this tournament so far. Brazil beat Japan, 3-0, in the opener, followed by a 2-0 victory over Mexico. They wrapped up the group stage with a 4-2 win over group runners-up Italy.

              While Spain won Group B with a 100-percent record against Uruguay (2-1), Tahiti (10-0) and Nigeria (3-0). Spain

then outclassed Italy in the semifinals, winning a penalty shootout, 7-6, after the match had finished in a goalless staelamate, following 90 minutes of regular time and 30 more of extra time. Jesus Navas converted the decisive penalty.

              It can be easily told that this is going to be the battle between the experienced Spanish side & the young guns of Brazil.

              Neither side is depending on an individual match winner both sides have loads of quality players who can guide their team to victory on their own excellence.

               It’s going to be the battle between two team’s midfield, which side will capture the midfield they have the probability to be the victorious at the end.

              Neymar is showing enough maturity in this tournament,  has already scored 3 goals in 4 appearance not only that he controlled the game according to it’s nature.

               Brazil have to defend the lightning midfield combination of Spanish midfield comprised of Xavi, Inniesta & Fabregass.

                Meanwhile this match has different significance in common Brazilian’s mind regarding their defeat against Uruguay in 1950 World Cup final at the same venue. Despite of winning the World Cup 1970 final, hammering Italy by 4-0 margin they think the redemption has not been done yet, this time they want to do the redemption by winning this continental crown in here.

                As a host nation Brazil will have vociferous crowd of almost 1.5 Lakh peoples inside the refurbished Maracana

backing themselves during the match which would be enough to boost their morals.

               Nevertheless, Spain’s journey to Sunday’s last game put them at a disadvantage. Spain played their semifinal in Fortaleza, in the north of the country, a 2220 km flight journey to Rio-de-Janeiro, where the final is scheduled while Brazil’s match against Uruguay was played in Belo Horizonte which is about a sixth of the distance away moreover they have played 24 hours earlier, giving the host a full day extra rest & recuperate. Spain had to go through the tie-breaker following 120 minutes hard battle, had to cover all the distances from the previous venue so it can be expected they would be a bit of tired prior to the final.

                Scolari has no injury worries and is likely to name an unchanged squad for the final. Fred will be the lone striker, with Neymar and Hulk providing support from the wings. Paulinho could well be the key once again, playing in from deep to pull Spain's centre-backs out of position.

               Vicente Del Bosque has a full strength squad too, after Barcelona's Cesc Fabregas and Valencia's Roberto Soldado reported fit for training. The champions may make a few changes though, after the physically draining semi-final against Italy. Fortunately, they have an incredibly strong bench and a

slight rotation will probably not affect them too much.

              Expect Casillas to retain his place in goal, with an unchanged back four. Xavi, Iniesta and Busquets are also favourites to start, which means the changes could come up front. David Silva started against Italy but was taken off after 53 minutes. Semi-final hero Navas could start in his place, to add speed from the outset, with Juan Mata an option as well. Torres will lead the attack.

Probable Line-Ups:

Brazil: Julio Cesar, Dani Alves, Thiago Silva, David Luiz, Marcelo, Paulinho, Gustav, Hulk, Oscar, Neymar, Fred.

Spain: Iker Casillas,  Alvaro Arbeloa, Gerard Pique, Sergio Ramos, Jordi Alba; Xavi, Sergio Busquets, Cesc Fabregas, Jesus Navas, Iniesta, Torres.

                      Would it be the end of Spanish era, would it be Brazil, who will bounce back in World football in their usual dominative nature, the result will give us the answer.

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