Johannesburg - Egypt's sensational 1-0 victory against world champions Italy in a Confederations Cup match played in Johannesburg on Thursday has thrown Group B wide open.

It was Italy's first-ever defeat against an African team.

After Brazil had beaten the US 3-0 in the earlier game in Pretoria, Brazilian players took it for granted that the result was good enough to secure the Selecao a place in the semi-finals.

Kaka, for instance, said that now that they had qualified for the round of the last four, they wanted to top the group.

And had Mohamed Homos' header five minutes from the break not given the Pharaohs a historic win against Italy, Brazil would have made sure of a place in the semi- finals.

But as things stand, they might need a result in their final game in Pretoria on Sunday against Italy.

Brazil top the group with six points from their two matches, while Italy and Egypt have three points each, with the Azzurri on plus one goal difference, while Egypt have scored as many goals as they have conceded.

Even the Americans, who have no point from their two matches, can theoretically still advance to the semi-finals. But with seven goals to make up, they would need a convincing victory against Egypt and for Italy to lose heavily against Brazil.

If Brazil win or draw against Italy in their final game they will top the group, but a victory for Egypt against the US would then see the world champions eliminated. Brazil could even lose and go through if Egypt and the US draw.

Should Italy beat Brazil, and Egypt win, then all three teams would finish on six points and goal difference would have to decide.

Whatever the outcome of the final group matches on Sunday, one thing is guaranteed: there will be plenty of nailbiting going on amongst the fans of at least three teams.(dpa)