Spain ease past Uruguay, Italy win

WORLD champions Spain got their Confederations Cup campaign off to a winning start with a 2-1 win over South American champions Uruguay in the northern Brazilian city of Recife.

The Spaniards dominated throughout but after Pedro Rodriguez’s opener deflected had cause to be grateful to Pedro Soldado’s 32nd-minute clincher as Luis Suarez netted a late freekick for the Uruguayans.

Cesc Fabregas came within the width of a post from giving Spain the lead in the 10th minute with a low strike before the favourites made the breakthrough after just 20 minutes — Lady Luck smiling on them as Diego Lugano deflected home Pedro’s shot to bamboozle keeper Fernando Muslera.

As is their habit, Spain were giving the Uruguayans almost no chance to touch the ball in the opening quarter and Xavi almost made it two when he sent a freekick whizzing just off target after 26 minutes.

Without the ball, Uruguay grew frustrated and resorted to some strong-arm tactics as first Edinson Cavani earned a booking for clattering into Sergio Ramos as they challenged for a header.

Ramos responded by shoving Gaston Ramirez before Uruguayan Cristian Rodriguez caught Jordi Alba with his elbow.

Suarez, in the news for intimating he would be partial to a move from Liverpool to Real Madrid, tried to rally the Celeste, who qualified for this event by winning the 2011 Copa America in Argentina, finding Cavani with a freekick, but the latter’s header was too close to Iker Casillas.

Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque elected to keep faith with his veteran keeper despite Casillas missing a chunk of the second half of the season through injury — once he had recovered the then Real coach Jose Mourinho left him on the bench.

Roberto Soldado celebrates with teammates Alvaro Arbeloa and defender Gerard Pique after scoring against Uruguay.

After 32 minutes it was 2-0 courtesy of beautiful vision from Fabregas, who shimmied away from two defenders, then played in Soldado, who took one touch before drilling the ball into the roof of the net.

Uruguay made a change at the break with Ramirez giving way to Alvaro Gonzalez but Spain were still on fire as Xavi and Iniesta interlinked brilliantly before Xavi’s flick fed Pedro and his cross just eluded the diving Soldado.

Pedro then mishit an effort wide after a neat Fabregas through ball sent Alba into space.

With 20 minutes left Uruguay sent on veteran striker Diego Forlan for Diego Perez.

That sparked a revival of sorts for the South Americans and Suarez drove home a curling freekick with two minutes remaining to give the scoreline a more respectable look.

Spain came to the event having already become the only team in history to win three major events on the bounce – the 2010 World Cup sandwiched by Euro 2008 and 2012.

A win in this dress rehearsal for next year’s World Cup finals in Brazil would see the Spanish join Argentina and France as the only countries to win the trio of World Cup, the Olympics and the Confederations Cup.

Balotelli, landmark Pirlo give Italy winning start

A goal 12 minutes from time from an effervescent Mario Balotelli sealed a 2-1 win for Italy over Mexico in Rio's Maracana stadium on Sunday in their Confederations Cup Group A opener.

Balotelli struck from close range on 78 minutes to give Italy a precious win as they joined Brazil on three points following the hosts' 3-0 win over Japan in Brasilia on Saturday.

Mexico's Javier Hernandez celebrates after scoring a penalty against Italy at the Maracana Stadium.

Once again, protests by locals demonstrating at the cost of staging the tournament soured the build-up as had been the case for Brazil's match, with some 500 people milling outside the Maracana before police dispersed them with tear gas.

Italy took the lead in the 27th minute with a sumptuous freekick from midfield veteran Andrea Pirlo, the 34-year-old marking his 100th international appearance with a curling effort from 25 metres past Mexico keeper Jose Corona.

Even prior to that, Italy had looked to be in attacking mode as Balotelli fired in a low shot which Corona saved smartly before the former Manchester City striker almost deceived the keeper with a dipping salvo.

Pirlo then went down in the box after tangling with Emanuele Giaccherini.

But Chilean referee Enrique Osses was unimpressed as Jose Manuel de la Torre's Mexicans weathered the early pressure.

Pirlo's breakthrough finally galvanised the Mexicans, who won the competition on home soil in 1999, into action and within six minutes they were level through Manchester United striker Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez from the penalty spot.

Gio dos Santos dispossessed Andrea Barzagli on the edge of his area before he was shoved by his rival and a penalty was awarded.

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli fielded no fewer than six Juventus men in his starting eleven but it was AC Milan's erratic Balotelli who went close once again as he drew another save from the equally busy Corona.

Mario Balotelli celebrates with teammates after scoring against Mexico.

Hector Moreno found the best way to stop the former Manchester City striker was by illegal means and duly picked up a yellow card for a foul at the start of the second period before skipper Francisco Rodriguez tried the same technique and earned the same punishment.

Just after the hour Pirlo sent another trademark freekick just wide of the upright before Prandelli sent on some fresh legs in replacing Claudio Marchisio with Alessio Cerci of Torino.

A Gerardo Flores header was the best Mexico could offer as they faded away in the possible belief they had done enough to emerge with an eighth draw in 11 games, the series of stalemates holding up their attempts to qualify for the World Cup.

But Balotelli's late effort, firing in after a neat flick from Emanuele Giaccherini, stunned them and saw Italy take a giant leap towards reaching the semi-finals with Brazil and Japan to come.