The Barcelona forward scored the first of his Olympic double against Honduras after just 15 seconds, and the coach wants to replicate his development with other young stars.
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And Manchester City fans were excited to see that the man who got on the end of Neymar‘s two first-half assists was none other than their newest signing, Gabriel Jesus – who will join up with City once the Brazilian season ends in January.
The 24-year-old was soon back terrorising the Honduras defence as he teed up Luan for an effort Lopez managed to repel, before Bryan Acosta and Allans Vargas were booked for taking their nuncompromising attempts to stop Neymar too far.
That counter attacking ability could be vital in this matchup as Brazil is likely to control the majority of possession.
Team captain Neymar could also cement his status as one of Brazil’s greatest players if he can lead his team to gold in Rio.
NEYMAR, forward: The teams’ most experienced player, Neymar skipped the Copa America to try to give Brazil the Olympic gold medal.
And Neymar capped a fine display with his second of the afternoon from the penalty spot in stoppage time.
After three more goals in the second half, including a Neymar penalty, Brazil are headed to gold-medal match where they’ll face either Germany or Nigeria.
However, Brazil has scored six goals in its last two matches and has still not allowed a goal at the 2016 Olympics.
Luan got the goal his hard work deserved 12 minutes from time, side-footing the ball home from close in after nice set-up work from Gabriel Barbosa and substitute Felipe Anderson. “We will keep playing as a group and this is how we can make sure our big dream comes true”.
The Paris Saint-Germain man was picked out by Neymar’s corner kick, bobbled his first touch but still had enough time to smash his right-footed shot past Lopez as the Honduras defence stood by and watched.
“In the good sense, I would call him a monster”, Micale said of Neymar, through a translator.
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Nigeria nearly didn’t make it to Brazil in time for its opening game because of a trip mix-up, but it finished first in its group before eliminating Denmark in the quarterfinals.
