Australia pip Brazil to third spot

Brazil's Leo challenges Steve Horvat of Australia

Australia 1-0 Brazil

Shaun Murphy headed the winning goal as Australia beat Brazil to take third place in the Confederations Cup.

After frustrating the Brazilian attack for 84 minutes, Murphy stole in behind the Brazilian defence to head the ball through goalkeeper Dida's hands from close range.

Much of the credit for the go to Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, who pulled off several amazing saves.

Despite losing a semi-final that they dominated against Japan, Australia left the eight nation tournament with the proud record of having beaten World Champions France as well as Brazil.

Brazil, who lost 2-1 to France in their semi-final, scored only three goals in the tournament and questions are bound to be asked now about the future of coach Emerson Leao.

Sucker punch

The first half was a story of missed chances. In the fifth minute Ramon, one of the few successes for Brazil at the Confederations Cup, fired a shot just past the right hand post of the Australian goal.

And in the eighth minute, Washington's shot forced Middlesbrough's Schwarzer into a save close to the right post.

Zane then nearly delivered a knockout blow to the world's second ranked team. Josip Skoko fed a long cross into the penalty area and Zane just headed over the bar.

But Brazil quickly resumed control. Fabio had a 25-metre free kick that crept through the Australian wall and striker Magno Alves, who replaced Leandro in attack, shot narrowly over the bar.

And they kept up the pressure in the second half. Murphy cleared a Magno Alves shot off the line in the 56th minute and shortly after Schwarzer made another brilliant save to stop a Washington header.

Schwarzer's best save of the game came in the 72nd minute, when he dived sharply to his left to stop a shot from substitute striker Julio Baptista.

Within seconds Baptista was fed another cross from Magno Alves on the right but fired the ball just past the post.

Murphy's sucker punch came when the Brazilian defence completely missed Murphy as he rushed behind them to meet Stan Lazaridis's long free kick from the right wing.