Alonso free kick gives Spain third place

By Mark Gleeson

RUSTENBURG (Reuters) - Spain secured third place at the Confederations Cup on Sunday when Xabi Alonso curled home a long-range free kick to give them a 3-2 win over hosts South Africa after extra time.

Alonso's 107th minute effort evaded both his own strikers and the home defence to settle a thrilling match that produced several twists.

South African substitute Katlego Mphela forced the match into extra time with a ferocious free kick with the last kick at the end of 90 minutes.

Goals in the 88th and 89th minutes from second-half substitute Daniel Guiza had put the European champions 2-1 up heading into stoppage time.

Mphela had given South Africa the lead in the 73rd minute, sending the home crowd into raptures. He had some difficulty bringing a bouncing ball under control but drilled home a left-footed shot from almost point blank range.

Guiza, who had come on for Fernando Torres, equalised after collecting a through-ball from Alonso as the South African defence backed off and allowed him to shoot from close in.

The Turkish-based striker then looked to have turned the result in Spain's favour when, within seconds, he floated a the ball over South African goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune.

But Mphela blasted home a free kick from some 25 metres out to add an additional 30 minutes to the tie.