Hosts Brazil face world champions Spain in the final of the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, at the Estadio do Maracana in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday 30 June. The two nations topped their respective group stage tables and have won all four games played so far.

Luiz Felipe Scolari led the Selecao to wins over Mexico, Japan and Italy in Group A, before triumphing in a South American derby against Uruguay in the semi-final.

Meanwhile, Vicente del Bosque's men strolled to wins over Nigeria, Tahiti and Uruguay in Group B and recorded an extremely hard-fought win over the Italians in their semi-final; the match finished 7-6 to the Spaniards after a penalty shootout.

Neymar
Reuters

Where to Watch Brazil v Spain Live

Kick-off is set for 11pm BST. Live coverage starts at 10.25pm BST on BBC One and BBC One HD. Follow the match live, via real time internet updates, on the Confederations Cup website.

Overview

Goals from Fred and Edinson Cavani, within seven minutes of each other, left Brazil and Uruguay tied in their semi-final with only five minutes left in regulation time. Extra time and possibly penalties were beckoning the two former world champions when Paulinho rose to head home a dramatic winner for Brazil

The 24-year-old Corinthians' midfielder is believed to be close to a £17m move to Tottenham and, based on this evidence, Andre Villas-Boas is signing one of the top players in the world.

Brazil, operating for the second time under Scolari, are slowly beginning to find the rhythm and style that led them to three World Cup finals (and two wins) between 1994 and 2002. And with the 2014 World Cup at home in 12 months' time, home fans will be pleased at how things are progressing.

It could all come unstuck very quickly though, if Spain provide a masterclass. For all their undeniable talent, this Brazilian team perhaps lacks experience at the highest levels and in crunch situations.

Jesus Navas
Reuters

This particular Spanish armada, on the other hand, has developed individually and collectively through the youth teams and the players have been tested during three consecutive and major international tournaments, coming unscathed through all of them.

That resolve was evident in the semi-final against Italy, after the Azzurri fought them to a goalless draw over 120 minutes. Each side converted the first six kicks before Real Madrid's Iker Casillas put off Juventus' Leonardo Bonucci and then Manchester City's summer signing, Jesus Navas, slotted the ball past legendary Bianconieri goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.

Interestingly, Spain have never won the Confederations Cup, with a third place in 2009 their best effort to date. Del Bosque will want to correct that statistic, and lay a benchmark ahead of next year's World Cup.

Team Form

Brazil

  • Last Five (all competitions, most recent first): W W W W W
  • Last Match: Brazil 2 - 1 Uruguay

Spain

  • Last Five (all competitions, most recent first): D W W W W
  • Last Match: Spain 0 - 0 Italy

Team News

Paulinho
Reuters

Scolari has no injury worries and is likely to name an unchanged squad for the final. Fred will be the lone striker, with Neymar and Hulk providing support from the wings. Paulinho could well be the key once again, playing in from deep to pull Spain's centre-backs out of position.

Probable Line-Up: Cesar; Dani Alves, Thiago Silva, David Luiz, Marcelo; Paulinho, Gustavo; Hulk, Oscar, Neymar; Fred

Spain have a full strength squad too, after Barcelona's Cesc Fabregas and Valencia's Roberto Soldado reported fit for training. The champions may make a few changes though, after the physically draining semi-final against Italy. Fortunately, they have an incredibly strong bench and a slight rotation will probably not affect them too much.

Expect Casillas to retain his place in goal, with an unchanged back four. Xavi, Iniesta and Busquets are also favourites to start, which means the changes could come up front. David Silva started against Italy but was taken off after 53 minutes. Semi-final hero Navas could start in his place, to add speed from the outset, with Juan Mata an option as well. Torres will lead the attack.

Probable Line-Up: Iker Casillas; Alvaro Arbeloa, Gerard Pique, Sergio Ramos, Jordi Alba; Xavi, Sergio Busquets, Cesc Fabregas; Jesus Navas, Iniesta, Torres

Japan Mexico Nigeria