That’s how long it took in a semifinal game for Brazil’s Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior (better known as Neymar) to score, as it set the stage for the definitive 6-0 victory of Brazil over Honduras.
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Honduras knocked the ball back from the kick-off, but Neymar caught Johnny Palacios in possession on the edge of the box and bravely challenged the keeper to bundle the ball into the net.
Neymar went one better in grabbing silver four years ago, but a shock defeat to Mexico in the final left Brazil feeling empty once more.
(AP Photo/Leo Correa). Germany’s players celebrate after qualifying for the final at the end of a semifinal match of the men’s Olympic football tournament against Nigeria in Sao Paulo, Wednesday Aug. 17, 2016.
Suffering because no one could forget the 7-1 humiliation on home soil by Germany in the 2014 World Cup semi-finals.
Here, at this Olympics, the Brazilian youngsters led by 24-year-old Neymar have been playing fast, attacking football, even in the two games at the start, where they created a torrent of chances but simply could not find their scoring boots.
Thrashing Honduras 6-0, Brazil got multiple players on the goal-scoring sheet.
“We want the last six months of Germany, but we don’t want the last 12 years of work they’ve done”. The men’s tournament is played among under-23 teams.
“We will play against Brazil not just Neymar”.
The hosts now advance to the finals of the tournament where they’ll meet the victor of the semi-final between Nigeria or Germany. Marquinhos stabbed a fourth early in the second half, Luan added a fifth and Neymar clipped home a stoppage time penalty.
With Olympic gold the only trophy missing from Brazil’s overflowing football trophy cabinet, Micale is keen to instill calmness in his players as they prepare for the final against Germany. The teams of Africa and Central America are going to clash in the battle for the third place in Rio Olympic Games.
The biggest difference in the World Cup rematch will be the players on the field.
The team of Honduras also have all chances to win if they gather up after fascinating destruction from the Brazil team.
Neymar will have to keep the magic going to allow Brazil to finally hoist the only worldwide title that has so far eluded it.
Micale, who also led the Brazil under-20 side to the World Cup final previous year, hopes a team not only boasting Neymar, but wonder kids Gabriel Jesus of Manchester City and the sought after Gabriel Barbosa will rekindle the “essence” of flair in Brazilian football.
Brazil head coach Rogerio Micale praised the young striker’s efforts, saying “Neymar is a monster”. The Brazilian squad will look to win their first Olympic gold medal as they face rival country Germany in the final. “But we are happy to be here, whether we win or not”.
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Neymar watched the 7-1 demolition from afar that day having broken two vertebrae in his back during a bruising quarter-final with Colombia.
