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Neymar, Brazil come out blazing in Olympic soccer semifinals

“Neymar’s goal, 15 seconds in, is the fastest in the history of Olympic football, 5.42 seconds more than Usain Bolt”, the Rio 2016 Spanish-language account tweeted in reference to the Jamaican sprinter. Brazil legend Zico has said he shouldn’t be the team’s captain, while numerous children crossed his name off their No. 10 jerseys and wrote Marta on them instead.

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Brazil’s game was over pretty much as soon as it started: Neymar scored after just 15 seconds, breaking the Olympic record for fastest goal. The hosts defeated Honduras 6-0 in first semifinal. He’s answered his critics loudly.

“When you get a goal right at the start it’s really a great help, it gives you the confidence to control the game in what was a very hot sun.”The Germans meanwhile, were less convincing in defeating the 1996 gold medal winners Nigeria”. Neymar and his teammates will face Nigeria or Germany in the final.

Rio de Janeiro authorities have issued an arrest warrant for an International Olympic Committee executive accused of scalping tickets for the Summer Games.

Neymar set up Gabriel Jesus’ second goal with a ideal through ball behind a defender. Host Brazil, which only advanced on the final day of preliminary play, takes on South American rival Argentina. The 19-year-old forward entered the area and hit the top of the net for his third goal at the Olympic tournament. We knew about that pressure from the beginning. “It was important to win like this, playing well and with a lot of goals”.

Honduras coach Jorge Luis Pinto, though, believes Neymar’s star billing offered him too much protection.

Early in the second half, Brazil center back Marquinhos found himself wide open in the box off a corner kick and slotted the ball in to add to his team’s lead.

After the match, some Honduran players were taking photos with Neymar on the field.

After beginning the Olympic tournament with two goalless draws, Brazil have won their past three matches by an aggregate of 12 goals.

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But Neymar and the rest of the squad picked up the pace just in time, beating Denmark 4-0 in the final group match and eliminating Colombia 2-0 in the quarterfinals.

A look at the talented Brazil team trying to win soccer gold