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BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa, June 17 (Reuters) – European champions Spain qualified for the Confederations Cup semi-finals with a 1-0 win over a defensive Iraq side on Wednesday.

Giuseppe Rossi and Daniele de Rossi are firing Italy’s dreams at South Africa 2009, and FIFA.com caught up with the pair with Egypt approaching.

After a shaky win over Egypt in their opener, pre-finals favourites Brazil face a stern test when they face a motivated USA in desperate need of a win.

African pride is at stake for Egypt who take on Italy in the FIFA Confederations Cup after nearly pulling off a shock result against Brazil.

In-form Spain are looking to become the first team to qualify for the FIFA Confederations Cup semis with a win over Iraq in their second group match.

BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa, June 16 (Reuters) – FIFA rejected a complaint by Egypt over Brazil’s winning penalty in their Confederations Cup match, saying it was awarded legitimately and not by the illegal use of video replays.

New Jersey-born Giuseppe Rossi scored twice in the second half and Daniele De Rossi had a goal, leading Italy over the United States 3-1 Monday night in its opener at the FIFA Confederations Cup.

PRETORIA, June 15 (Reuters) – Guiseppe Rossi set aside the mixed emotions of playing against the country of his birth to inspire Italy to a 3-1 win over the U.S. in Confederations Cup Group B on Monday.

15.06.2009 FIFA Confederations Cup 2009 United States vs Italy highlights
Video Tags: Confederations Cup 2009, FIFA Confederations Cup

BLOMFONTEIN, South Africa, June 15 (Reuters) – Brazil cannot allow themselves to play as badly as they did in the second half of Monday’s 4-3 win over Egypt if they want to retain the Confederations Cup, playmaker Kaka said.

BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa, June 15 (Reuters) – Underdogs Egypt shook five-times world champions Brazil at the Confederations Cup on Monday but finally succumbed 4-3 when Kaka converted a controversial late penalty.

BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa, June 15 (Reuters) – Egypt lodged a protest with Confederations Cup organisers after their 4-3 defeat by Brazil on Monday, claiming Brazil’s late penalty winner was awarded illegally on the basis of video evidence.

15.06.2009 FIFA Confederations Cup 2009 Brazil vs Egypt highlights Highlights

Brazil striker Luis Fabiano is hoping he can supply the goals which will fire his country to their second successive Confederations Cup this month.

Despite a comprehensive 5-0 win over New Zealand in their FIFA Confederations Cup opener, Spain coach Vicente del Bosque is urging caution.