Brazil will take on Colombia in the last eight, while Denmark are also through – after South Africa and Iraq drew 1-1 – and will play Nigeria. “That gave us a lot of tranquility during the match”.
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“It was a attractive win. The first two games we didn’t play badly, but the goals didn’t come and sometimes the fans focus exclusively on the result”.
Earlier Wednesday, two-time Olympic champion Argentina and defending champion Mexico were eliminated from medal contention after failing to advance from the group stage.
Argentina finished third in Group D after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Honduras, while Mexico were beaten 1-0 by South Korea.
The Africans had already done enough to top Group B, rendering Japan’s 1-0 win over Sweden meaningless.
It passed Group A with five points, one more than Denmark, which also advanced and will play Nigeria.
The hosts of Rio 2016 are through to the quarter-finals of the men’s football tournament, but Mexico and Argentina bowed out on Wednesday.
There was a late scare for Brazil when Neymar went down in pain after appearing to twist an ankle, but the Barcelona forward was able to continue and saw Gabriel Barbosa score again late on.
However, the Central Americans sprang a huge surprise as Antony Lorenzo’s penalty 15 minutes from time put them in front in Brasilia and, despite Mauricio Martinez’s equaliser deep into stoppage time, Argentina bowed out in embarrassing fashion.
The Albiceleste’s chances were severely hampered by chaotic preparation for the Games. The country’s federation is in financial chaos, and the Olympic team was left without a coach when Gerardo Martino resigned a month before the Rio Games.
“Honduras can’t beat us”.
Neymar, who had been heckled by some fans after struggling in the first two games, played better and was much more involved in the game. “They don’t know anything about football”, he told Radio La Red.
Germany will play in the quarterfinals against Portugal in Brasilia, while Honduras will face South Korea in Belo Horizonte.
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Nils Petersen certainly enjoyed himself against hapless Fiji, scoring half of Germany’s 10 goals.
