SoccerHeavy weather for Group B heavyweights

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As the South American and defending champions strolled in at halftime with a 3-1 lead over the Pharaohs, there was little hint of what was to come after the interval.

Despite the pre-game assertion of Brazilian captain Lucio that their suspect defence had been fixed, those frailties re-appeared in two crazy second-half minutes as their opponents drew level.

The post-match stats strongly suggest Egypt were good value for a point - a point they were denied in stoppage time as Kaka calmly stroked home a penalty after Lucio's initial strike was handled on the line.

A win's a win but, in the final analysis, it was anything but convincing by Brazilian standards.

The performance will not play well back in Rio or Sao Paulo, and coach Dunga would do well to avoid reading any Brazilian newspapers for a day or two.

From an offensive standpoint, Brazil is almost irresistible - a country which has produced generation upon generation of hugely talented and entertaining players.

At the other end, it's a different story. At times, there's a worrying elasticity between its defenders which almost invites opponents to 'have a go.'

Mohamed Zidan seized the opportunity and his Man of the Match performance gave Egypt real hope of a result which would have sent shockwaves around the soccer globe.

Every credit to the African champions for playing a full part in a seven-goal thriller, but if Brazil is to successfully defend its Confederations Cup title or contend for a sixth World Cup a year from now, they must tighten up at the back.

The next time Giuseppe Rossi flies into JFK to visit family and friends, he might find the welcome from Homeland Security is somewhat muted.

The Jersey boy, who left his birthplace at the age of 12 to pursue a soccer dream in the land of his father, announced his arrival on the world stage in breathtaking fashion.

Marcello Lippi's team looked anything but world champions against a hard-working and physically strong U.S. team for almost an hour in Pretoria before the master tactician played his trump card.

The Americans refused to bow and, despite being a man down following the controversial dismissal of Ricardo Clark, were clinging to a fragile lead, courtesy of Landon Donovan's late first-half penalty.

Enter Joe Red.

A thunderous shot from 30 yards within a minute of joining the contest finally - and decisively - turned the game in the Italians' favour.

Rossi was on hand again with a sumptuous half-volley deep into stoppage time to seal the points, and perhaps add a zero or two to his current market value.

Rossi was once invited to join a U.S. national team training camp, when Bruce Arena was in charge, to prepare for the 2006 World Cup.

He declined the offer, reaffirming his wish to represent Italy.

If the Americans didn't know what they were missing then, they do now.

So Brazil and Italy, as expected, earned maximum points from their opening games - a pair of matches which were as entertaining as they were unpredictable.

The FIFA suits will be in raptures and hoping Day 2 set the tone for the tournament. If they're right, this is a Confederations Cup we will all remember.

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