Internationals / Joe Dyer / 29 June 2009 / Leave a comment

Backed at [1000.0], Americans shorten to [1.33] on Betfair before suffering agonising defeat...

The USA fell at the final hurdle in their bid to cause arguably the biggest tournament upset in football history against Brazil in the final of the Confederations Cup last night, having been backed at the maximum odds of [1000.0] on betting exchange Betfair.

And when they sensationally led 2-0 at half-time, they were [1.33] favourites on Betfair to win the Cup.

A total of £31 was placed at [1000.0] on the Americans lifting the Cup, and the USA consistently defied colossal odds throughout the tournament - not surprising considering they looked down and out in the group stages.

• Having been beaten 3-1 by Italy and 3-0 by Brazil in their opening two matches, they had to conjure up a minor miracle just to reach the semi-finals, as they needed to beat Egypt and overturn a six goal deficit in the process. The Betfair odds on this were [700.0] - but they duly defeated Egypt 3-0 and Brazil overcame the Italians by the same scoreline.

• In the semi-finals they were available at [21.0] on Betfair to beat European champions Spain, who they promptly despatched 2-0.

And, in the final, they were red-hot favourites at [1.33] on Betfair to complete the miracle when leading 2-0 at half-time.

But it was not to be as Brazil broke their hearts when scoring three second-half goals to win 3-2.

Betfair spokesman Tony Calvin commented: "There have been a number of shock winners in football tournaments down the years, notably Denmark winning the European Championships in 1992 and Greece triumphing in Euro 2004.

"But the USA were within a whisker of trumping those victories, and causing the biggest tournament upset in football history - from a betting perspective at the very least."

From a high of [290.0], the USA now trade at [70.0] to win the 2010 World Cup. Brazil are the [6.2] second favourites.