Bloemfontein, South Africa  - The Spanish were as shocked as the rest of the world by the US national team's dramatic turnaround from bottom of the table to the semi-finals at the Confederations Cup on Sunday night.

La Furia Roja, who meet the States in the last four on Wednesday in Bloemfontein, will be undeniable favourites to claim their 16th victory on the trot, but they thought they would be meeting Italy or Egypt as the second-place finishers from Group B.

"We watched the Brazil and Italy match for the first half," revealed left back Joan Capdevilla, who played in two of Spain's three successful Group A matches. "But we switched to the other match because that was full of emotion.

"We didn't think they could do it in the end," said the Villareal player. "But to do something like that, they proved they are a great team."

The last time the USA won a FIFA senior competition match 3-0, you have to go back to the 1930 World Cup. They were also the first team in the history of the Confed Cup to progress from the group stage with just three points and a negative goal difference.

Up-and-coming Spain central defender Gerard Pique said the team were quite shocked at the end of the night by the developments.

"Sure it's a surprise because people expected either Italy or Egypt," said the Barcelona player. "But they clearly deserved it at the end."

Regarding Brazil's 3-0 thumping of Italy in the other match, the Spanish were taken aback as well.

"They gave a lesson to Italy and that is not easy to do," said Pique. "But Brazil is always there in the end."

Albert Riera, who was an injury worry for the contest, has been cleared after a scan of his hand revealed no broken bones.

The Spanish will be trying to surpass Brazil's all-time record for most consecutive unbeaten internationals (35 matches) against the Gold Cup champions at the Free State Stadium.(dpa)