JOHANNESBURG - DANIEL Alves scored with two minutes left on Thursday to give Brazil a 1-0 win over South Africa and a place in the Confederations Cup final against the United States.

South Africa had unsettled Brazil with a frantic hustling game of quick challenges and tight marking from a packed midfield and attentive defence, but the substitute right back curled in a shot from the edge of the area to give his team a chance of a record third title after Ramires tumbled right on the edge of the area under a challenge from South Africa captain Aaron Mokoena.

South Africa had displayed far more energy and guile than Brazil and was denied a famous victory only by the lack of a finishing touch up front.

In Sunday's final at Ellis Park, the Brazilians will face the United States, which upset European champion Spain 2-0 on Wednesday.

Just four days after routing World Cup holder Italy 3-0, Brazil looked short of ideas and laboured in its efforts to find an opening - largely trying to play through the middle.

But that was mostly due to a vastly improved home team, which covered almost 10 per cent more ground throughout the game and matched their opponents' 12 shots on goal.

Only former world player of the year Kaka seemed able to direct his passes with any regular accuracy as South Africa equaled its illustrious opponents' skill and surpassed their work rate.

South Africa finally showed fans they could be something of a force at next year's World Cup, shrugging off indifferent group form to outplay the record five-time World Cup winners.

'Had opportunities for the goal,' South Africa coach Joel Santana said. 'Congratulations Brazil.' -- AP