Despite Germany being one of the world’s most successful teams in global competitions, with four world cup and three European championship titles, this is the first time the men’s side has won an Olympic football medal.
Advertisement
Germany eventually got themselves the lead they deserved when Dzsenifer Marozsan sent a curling effort into the top corner in the opening minutes of the second half.
Marozsan’s free kick in the 62nd minute hit the post and rebounded off Sweden’s Linda Sembrant for an own-goal, giving Germany a 2-0 advantage.
Swedish hopes of a comeback were raised when Stina Blackstenius pulled a goal back from Kosovare Asslani’s excellent cross after 66 minutes. Brazil won the match 6-0 and qualified to the final.
Neymar was the hero as Brazil won a first-ever Olympic football gold after a dramatic penalty shootout.
Germany and Sweden were playing in the gold-medal match for the first time. Find us on Facebook too!
Brazil piled on the pressure in the final half hour of normal time as Gabriel Jesus turned Renato Augusto’s unsafe cross just wide, substitute Felipe Anderson fluffed his lines and Neymar’s effort from distance flew just off target.
The no. 2 ranked Germans scored two goals in the second half, and although the Swedes got a goal back they could not snatch an equaliser that would take the game into extra time. I am very proud of the way we played defensively and offensively. The Olympic drought was over, and Brazil had beaten Germany on Brazilian soil, 1-1 (5-4).
In the first session of extra time Brazil was the aggressor, but it was Germany with the best opportunity.
Germany defended well all match: midway through the second half, Brazil had still managed only one shot on goal out of six shots total.
Brazil has built-in excuses for past Olympic losses and poor performances-Pelé wasn’t eligible to participate in the Games during his “Golden Age”, and there could have been too much added pressure from substandard performances in the 2014 World Cup and this year’s Copa América.
Neymar, who skipped the Copa America to try to give the hosts the Olympic gold, avoided joining a long list stars who failed to win the gold for Brazil, including Romario, Rivaldo, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho. She was an assistant on Germany’s team that won the 2003 World Cup, then took over as coach of the senior women in 2005, leading the team to another World Cup title in 2007.
“That was the World Cup, this is the Olympic team, ” said Micale.
Advertisement
“Beloved nation, the gold is ours”, Weverton said, still holding on to the game ball.
