Xabi Alonso's free-kick in the second half of extra time gave Spain a thrilling 3-2 victory over hosts South Africa in the Confederations Cup third-place play off on Sunday. It was South Africa who broke the deadlock on 74 minutes, thanks to Katlego Mphela's goal. A quick-fire brace from Daniel Guiza late in the game overturned the result but Mphela ensured South Africa still had a chance to win by leveling the score in stoppage time. Liverpool midfielder Alonso notched the decisive strike in the 107th minute to help Spain secure a consolation win after suffering a stunning 2-0 defeat to the United States in the semi final. The US meet five-time world champions Brazil in the tournament's final later on Sunday. Cagey Start The game witnessed a cagey start from both sides. David Villa tried his luck after eluding South Africa's defenders inside the penalty area, but Itumeleng Khune parried away his curling shot at full stretch. Once the hosts felt the danger from the European side, they played more attackingly. Siphiwe Tshabalala had the first attempt when he released a powerful shot, but his effort drifted well wide of the mark. On the quarter-hour mark, Matthew Booth tried to head home a free-kick from close proximity to the goal, he missed the ball by inches though. Spain kept struggling for fluency when the Bafana Bafana controlled the ball possession for a short while midway through the first period. Valencia star Villa could have finished a counter-attack and open the scoring on 20 minutes, but a last-gasp interception prevented him from scoring.
Fernando Torres threatened South Africa again seconds after penetrating their box with aplomb; he was eventually nutmegged. South Africa ace Bernard Parker tried to dribble past the Spaniards to go one-on-one with the keeper five minutes from the half-hour mark, but the ball got caught under his foot. On 32 minutes, Tshabalala cannoned a shot that was blocked by Iker Casillas, and Booth followed up but his effort again missed the target. The next minute, Alonso's deft trough released inside the box Albert Riera, whose shot went centimeters past the post. Thrilling Half In the second half, Spain came on with all guns blazing, looking for an opener, and Villa was replaced with David Silva. The in-form Khune played a major role in keeping a clean sheet and prevented Vicente del Bosque's men from converting a good number of scoring chances. South Africa took a stunning lead on 74 minutes when Mphela latched onto Tshabalala's left cross to slot home from point-blank range. Spain pushed forward to avoid another embarrassing defeat and managed to restore parity just three minutes from time after Guiza chested down a cross from the right before driving a low shot into the bottom corner. The Fenerbahce striker put Spain ahead just one minute later. His strike was more of a cross than a shot but it deceived Khune and found the net. Spain were ready to celebrate their win but Mphela's stunning 25-yard free kick in stoppage time left Casillas with no chance and put their celebrations on hold. The match went into extra-time, during which South Africa wasted several clear-cut chances that could have put Spain under pressure again. Alonso made the difference when his attempted cross from a left-wing free kick sailed into the net to secure Spain's victory.
