South Africa deserve a pat on the back, they were minutes aways from dragging the south americans into extra time and who knows what might have happened in those extra minutes, Daniel Alves however had other ideas.
Seven minutes after coming on as an 80th-minute substitute, the Barcelona full-back rifled an unstoppable free-kick from the edge of the penalty area that impressive keeper Itumeleng Khune was helpless to stop from nestling just inside the far post.
Maicon has overtaken Alves as the 1st choice at rightback fro Brazil but i have a feeling he will regain his place for the final agaisnt the USA.
Brazil had chances through Ramires and Kaka that were both smartly saved by Khune, but they could not establish either their traditional attractive passing rhythm or the defend-and-counter tactic that coach Carlos Dunga recently established.
The second-half followed a similar pattern.
But they got their break when, with four minutes remaining, Mokoena fouled Ramires on the edge of the box.
Alves, who came on for the poor Andre Santos, stepped up and showed his class to put the favourites in Sunday’s final.
South Africa, meanwhile, face the unenviable task of a third-place play-off against European Champions Spain.