Spain lose Confederations Cup final to Brazil

Spain's three-year record run of 29 unbeaten competitive matches ended as they were beaten 3-0 by hosts Brazil in the FIFA Confederations Cup final in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday

Two goals from Fred and a stunning left-foot shot from Neymar gave next year's FIFA World Cup hosts their fifth straight win in the competition as they clinched the trophy for a third time in a row. Spain endured a disappointing night with Sergio Ramos missing a penalty early in the second half and Gerard Piqué sent off for a foul on his new FC Barcelona team-mate Neymar after 68 minutes.

Spain looked tired following Thursday's exhausting semi-final penalty shoot-out victory over Italy and never really threatened to become the first team since Uruguay in the 1950 World Cup final to beat Brazil in a competitive international at the Maracanã.

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque said of Brazil: "They were better. We congratulate them. We had a touch of bad luck in the first two minutes of both halves and in the final minutes of the first half, but I don't want to make excuses. They were better.

"I think we've had a good Confederations Cup. I'll stick with the positive. Our players gave their all. Neymar and the rest had much more energy, and that was reflected in every play. The only thing I was not too happy about was the number of Brazilian fouls but that came because they put pressure on us all over the field. But we have no complaints.

"When we look at our track record, we can be proud. Today we have been defeated, be we won't just sit back and accept it. We will fight back, we have good players and I don't see the need to change just because we were well beaten for once."