Goals from Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan had put the US, who had stunned Spain in the semi-finals, 2-0 up inside half an hour at Ellis Park.But the South American giants, holders of the tournament, stormed back with a superb second-half display.
Luis Fabiano fired in within a minute of the restart and after that the Brazilians piled forward.
Brazil thought they had equalised when Ricardo Kaka's header appeared to have crossed the line, but the officials ruled goalkeeper Tim Howard had pushed it away just in time.
However, the equaliser did soon arrive. On 74 minutes, Kaka's cross was turned against the bar by Robinho but Luis Fabiano was on hand to nod in the rebound.
And the winner came with six minutes remaining, captain Lucio heading in a corner taken by Elano, on as a subsititute, from eight yards out.
Brazil will now hope to return to South Africa in 12 months' time to add a record-extending sixth World Cup trophy to their collection.
Earlier in the day, Xabi Alonso's free-kick in extra-time enabled Spain to beat South Africa 3-2 and clinch third place in the tournament.
European champions Spain, whose 35-match unbeaten run came to a shock end against the Americans in the last four, were lethargic for much of the encounter in Rustenburg and appeared to be heading for another defeat when Katlego Mphela put the tournament hosts ahead after 73 minutes.
But two goals in the final three minutes from substitute Daniel Guiza turned the match around only for Mphela to send the game into extra-time with a blistering free-kick.
Spain sealed it when Alonso curled a 107th-minute free-kick from the left into the area which eluded everyone and ended up in the bottom right-hand corner.
[FIFA Confederations Cup 2009]
Source: Sporting Life
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