BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa—Underdogs Egypt shook five-times world champions Brazil at the Confederations Cup on Monday but finally succumbed 4-3 when Kaka converted a controversial late penalty.
The Egyptians claimed English referee Howard Webb had awarded a corner when defender Ahmed Al Muhamadi diverted the ball round the post with his arm and only changed his mind when told by another match official who had seen the incident on a television monitor.
Video evidence is banned by world governing body FIFA for use by officials to make decisions during matches.
The controversy marred a great effort by African champions Egypt who fought back from two goals down to level at 3-3 and looked likely to snatch a winner in the opening match of Group B of the eight-nation tournament for continental champions.
Kaka, Luis Fabiano and Juan had given Brazil a 3-1 halftime lead with one reply from Egyptian striker Mohamed Zidan but Mohamed Shawky and Zidan put Egypt level at 3-3 with two goals in a minute early in the second half.
Kaka opened the scoring in the fifth minute as he steered a difficult bouncing ball through the defence with three deft touches before stroking home past keeper Essam El Hadary.
But the African champions drew level just four minutes later when Mohamed Aboutrika broke free on the right and crossed for Zidan to head home.
Set Pieces
Brazil struck twice from set pieces before halftime, Luis Fabiano glancing home a great header from Elano's cross in the 12th and defender Juan heading in Elano's corner in the 37th.
Despite the scoreline, Egypt's quick-passing game had troubled the languid Brazilians and they reaped the benefits soon after the break.
Shawky hit back in the 54th minute when he struck a powerful shot into the bottom corner from just outside the box and within a minute the scores were level as Brazil's defence cracked. The excellent Aboutrika threaded the ball through for Zidan to notch his second.
In the end, Brazil were lucky to win. Al Muhamadi's goal line save with his arm from Alexandre Pato's fierce shot just before the final whistle cost the penalty, defeat and a red card for the substitute defender.
Samir Zaher, the president of the Egyptian FA, confirmed that he would lodge an appeal with organisers.
"We will not protest against the penalty being awarded because that was the right decision, but the referee did not give the decision immediately -- he gave a corner. Then he waited two or three minutes and showed the red card and awarded the penalty."
Rossi Double Fires Italy to Victory Over U.S.
The American-born striker fired home a stunning long-range equaliser just 90 seconds after coming on as a 57th-minute substitute and confirmed Italy's triumph with another goal in stoppage time.
Midfielder Daniel de Rossi banished bitter memories of his last encounter against the Americans with a spectacular shot in the 72nd minute as the Italians swamped their 10-man opponents in the second half.
The Americans had taken the lead just before the interval through a Landon Donovan penalty but were fighting a rearguard action after midfielder Ricardo Clark was sent off in the 33rd minute.
Rossi, who left New Jersey aged 12 to play for Parma, made an immediate impact when he won the ball in midfield before unleashing a swerving shot past American goalkeeper Tim Howard.
De Rossi's shot 15 minutes later came from even further out and again gave Howard little chance.
He celebrated with an elaborate dive into his own dug-out, in stark contrast to the ugly scenes when he received a four-match ban at the last World Cup in 2006 for elbowing American strike Brian McBride.
"That was a pretty bad blow but this time was lot different," De Rossi told reporters.
Rossi struck again four minutes into stoppage time after Andrea Pirlo dragged the ball back into his path.
American coach Bob Bradley was asked how he felt about conceding two goals to a player born in the U.S.
"I have known him since he was 10 years old," he said. "We had hoped he would play for us. He is a very talented young player and today is a very exciting day for him and a very disappointing one for us."
RIDING ROUGHSHOD
The Italians, wearing a replica of their 1934 World Cup- winning kit with sky blue tops and burgundy shorts and stockings, rode roughshod over their tiring opponents in the second half.
Tall striker Vincenzo Iaquinta was guilty of several misses and substitute Luca Toni wasted a golden opportunity three minutes from time.
The Americans scuffed two excellent first-half chances, both set up by the pace of Donovan. The first Michael Bradley tamely hit at Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and the second was missed by Jozi Altidore.
Altidore did win a penalty in the 41st minute after being tugged to the ground by Giorgio Chiellini. Donovan sent Buffon the wrong way as the Americans sought their first win over Italy in 10 attempts.
Clark's red card came after a lunging tackle on Gennaro Gattuso in the 33rd minute, although it seemed a harsh decision by Chilean referee Pablo Pozo.
Italy next play Egypt and the U.S. face Brazil on Thursday.
Confederations Cup Standings After Round 1 Matches.
Group B
Brazil v Egypt 4-3United States v Italy 1-3
Standings P W D L FG GA PTS
Italy 1 1 0 0 3 1 3Brazil 1 1 0 0 4 3 3
Egypt 1 0 0 1 3 4 0
U.S.A 1 0 0 1 1 3 0
Group A
South Africa v Iraq 0-0Spain v New Zealand 5-0
Standings P W D L FG GA PTS
Spain 1 1 0 0 5 0 3Iraq 1 0 1 0 0 0 1
South Africa 1 0 1 0 0 0 1
New Zealand 1 0 0 1 0 5 0
