Spain midfielder Xavi warned that the USA will be a difficult opponent for European Champion Spain in Wednesday's Confederations Cup semifinal. The Barcelona playmaker said he felt there was "perhaps more pressure on Spain than the USA."

"I've seen the strong team the Americans has been evolving ... and when we beat them 1-0 in a friendly last year they were a difficult opponent," Xavi said. "They will be a very competitive rival. We may be the favorite but they will not be an easy opponent to beat. If Spain is favored then the United States really has nothing to lose."

Spain set a world record of 15 successive international wins when it beat host South Africa in its last group game on Saturday. "We don't think we are that much superior to the United States," said coach Vicente del Bosque. Read the original story...