In the prelude to next summer’s FIFA World Cup in South Africa, the FIFA Confederations Cup is being held in the future host country from June 14 to June 28 as a “dress rehearsal.”

And if today’s action was any indication of what is to come during next summer’s World Cup, held  June 11 through July 11, football fans worldwide should reserve their tickets now.

Match One: Brazil 3 – USA 0 (Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Tshwane/Pretoria)

Not too many surprises here as the quick-footed Brazilians came out scoring early as Feliple Melo’s header seven minutes in put the Americans in a blur of green as the yellow jerseys and blue shorts of the Samba Kings ran up and down the field, per FIFA.com. The Americans played a man down for the second game in a row when midfielder Sacha Kljestan was sent off by Swiss referee Massimo Busacca for a lunge on Ramires in the 55th minute. Goals in the 20th minute by Robinho and the 62nd by Maicon sealed the fate of the U.S. national team, who find themselves in an 0-2 hole in group play after losing to Italy 3-1 on Monday, but still alive after Egypt’s surprise 1-0 shout of Italy (see below).

The Twitterverse responded:

1. 
   bloghill watching #fifa #usa vs #brasil … the incessant horns sound like angry #bees! #vuvuzela !!! Buzzzzzzzzzzz! 18 Jun 2009 from web
2. 
   ObiSun Brazil is showing Team USA why they have 5 World Cups. #fifa #worldcup #fb 18 Jun 2009 from TwitterBerry
3. 
   cgh3rd USA soccer is in sad shape. #fifa #mls #soccer 18 Jun 2009 from web
4. 
   bfafootball Brazil walked all over the US in the Confederation Cup, winning 3-0 18 Jun 2009 from web
5. 
   fireb0x EGYPT WINS! THE US IS STILL ALIVE IN THE CONFEDERATION CUP! Thank the gods! 18 Jun 2009 from TweetDeck
   
   

Match Two: Egypt 1 – Italy 0 (Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg)

Per FIFA.com, the African champions Egypt carried the momentum of their oh-so-close 4-3 defeat to Brazil on Monday to a 1-0 triumph over defending World Cup champions Italy this evening. Mohamed Homos’ goal in the 40th minute was all Egypt needed to hand Italy its first ever loss to an African team. Per ESPN.com,  Egypt had only won once in their last five matches but never looked overawed by the Italians who had 13 shots, 6 on goal, compared to the Pharaohs 4 shots, 2 of which were on goal.

People on the streets of Egypt celebrating the victory against Italy -the world cup champions- in the FIFA Confederations Cup earlier that day until the police came and forced them to move along (@digitalsin)

Egyptians rejoiced when the final whistle blew as the TwitPics and Tweets from “The Gift of the Nile” show (@Theodore_May provided some keen insight):

1. 
   Theodore_May at a cafe watching italy v. egypt. no empty seats deafeningly loud everytime egypt gets it across mid-field 18 Jun 2009 from mobile web
2. 
   Theodore_May still 0-0. im trying hard to pretend im interested. 18 Jun 2009 from mobile web
3. 
   Theodore_May 1-0 Egypt. Wow. lots of hugs and tears. somebody brought a drum and everyone is chanting “Egypt!” 18 Jun 2009 from mobile web
4. 
   daliaziada I am so proud of Egypt soccer team! Wow! We won Italy… Yahoooooooooooo! 18 Jun 2009 from web
5. 
   wishing4one egypt vs. italy Confederations cup (soccer)- egypts wins! u would think its a revolutuion here, unbelievable! horns,drums,screaming NUTS! 18 Jun 2009 from web
6. 
   Theodore_May Egypt beat Italy! Means Sunday is Egypt vs. USA. I’ll be at a cafe cheering like the obnoxious American I am. 18 Jun 2009 from web
7. 
   lifelifelife2 We WON… Egypt won Italy -the winner of THE ” world cup” 2006 (soccer)- (1-0)!! Our next match is with the USA! 18 Jun 2009 from web
   
   

The standings for Group B show Brazil on top with six points, Italy and Egypt tied for second with three, and the U.S. in last place with no points. Believe it or not, all teams are still alive to advance pending the results of the next matchups: Brazil meets Italy and Egypt meets the U.S. on Sunday.

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