( CNN ) -- Hosts Brazil claimed top spot in Group A at the troubled Confederations Cup with 4-2 win over Italy in Salvador Saturday . The match may have lacked the quality of previous classic encounters between the world football heavyweights , but burst into life in the second half . Dante had given Brazil the lead before the break , but it needed a double from Fred and a classic free kick from home talisman Neymar to see off a determined Italian challenge . Victory also meant Brazil will likely avoid world champions Spain in next week 's semifinals . Spain currently top Group B ahead of the final round of matches Sunday and have been in commanding form , beating minnows Tahiti 10-0 in their latest match . Brazil have also impressed with comfortable wins over Mexico and Japan , but this has gone almost unnoticed because of the mass popular protests outside games and across the country . Demonstrators have taken to the streets to highlight the cost of Brazil hosting next year 's World Cup and the 2016 Olympics against a background of sub standard public services and corruption . The other match Saturday in Group A in the southeastern city of Belo Horizonte , between Japan and Mexico , saw a massive rally in the streets near the Mineirao Stadium . Police fired tear gas to attempt to disperse protesters , who had gathered despite a televised appearance late Friday by President Dilma Rousseff , who had promised changes . Mexico beat Japan 2-1 after two goals by Manchester United 's Javier Hernandez . Before the match in Salvador at the Arena Fonte Nova , Italy coach Cesar Prandelli had advised his squad to stay inside their hotel because of security fears , but only limited protests were reported there . Neymar proved a thorn in Italy 's side from the start and was behind a flurry of attacks in the first minute . But the rest of the half proved scrappy until the home breakthrough in added time . Neymar whipped in a free kick and after Fred 's header was palmed clear by Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon , Dante pounced to slot home the rebound . Italy surprisingly equalized in the 51st minute as Mario Balotelli cleverly flicked on a long ball with a backheel and Emanuele Giaccherini charged forward to score . But parity lasted just four minutes , Neymar winning a free kick on the edge of the area and stepping up to beat Buffon with a precise strike . It was the Barcelona-bound star 's 23rd goal for Brazil and sixth in his last seven games , continuing his superb form at the Confederations Cup . Balotelli had a penalty appeal denied before Fred showed his strength to thump home the third in the 66th minute . Shortly afterwards , Neymar , who has scored three goals in the competition , was substituted by coach Luiz Felipe Scolari , rested ahead of a last four clash in Belo Horizonte next Wednesday . But it looked an unwise move as Italy pulled one back as Giorgio Chiellini scored with a low shot after Brazil failed to clear a corner . Christian Maggio thumped the woodwork as Italy pushed for an equalizer but were finally defeated when Fred converted after Buffon could only push out Marcelo 's shot into his path . `` We beat a strong Italian team and I think this shows we are on the right road , even if there are a few things we need to improve , '' Scolari told AFP .
Brazil beat Italy 4-2 in their final Group A Confederations Cup game . Second half goals from Neymar and Fred ( 2 ) seal victory . Mexico beat Japan 2-1 in other Group A match . Mass protests in streets near stadium in Belo Horizonte .