Brazil Thrashes Spain 3-0 to Win Confederations Cup

(AP) Brazil beats Spain 3-0 to win Confederations Cup
By TALES AZZONI
AP Sports Writer
RIO DE JANEIRO
Fred scored two goals and Neymar added another as host Brazil defeated world champion Spain 3-0 to win the Confederations Cup on Sunday night as protesters clashed with riot police outside Maracana Stadium.

Brazil, a five-time world champion, beat the reigning world and European champion and ended Spain’s 29-game, three-year winning streak in competitive matches.

Fred put Brazil ahead in the second minute, Neymar doubled the lead in the 44th with his fourth goal of the tournament and Fred added his fifth in the 47th.

Brazil, which won its third straight Confederations Cup, has not lost a competitive home match since 1975.

Spain, which had not lost a competitive game since its 2010 World Cup opener against Switzerland, has a miserable night. Sergio Ramos sent a penalty kick wide in the 55th and defender Gerard Pique was ejected with a straight red card for fouling Neymar in the 68th.