Fireworks burst over the stadium, vehicle horns blared and fans sang and tossed beer into the air. “We are focused only on playing well and winning this gold medal”. Brazil was also coming off a demoralizing elimination in the group stage of this year’s Copa America.
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Neymar has developed into a specialist from dead-ball situations and he showed it once again in the final of the Rio Olympics 2016 against Germany by converting a free-kick from over 25 yards.
Neymar was given the captain’s armband in 2014 after the FIFA World Cup by the then Brazil manager Dunga.
But Neymar took the pressure off of the nervous Maracana crowd when he delivered a perfectly placed free kick past Germany keeper Timo Horn to open the scoring in the 27th minute.
Brazil still looked the hungrier side but it was Germany who got the next goal with an hour gone.
There were no further goals in the encounter and it had to be decided via the lottery of penalties.
Meyer nearly responded immediately for Germany, first inadvertently with a free-kick of his own that was deflected amongst a crowd of players in the box before finding its way onto the Brazil crossbar once again, and then with a volley from the resulting corner, which was well saved by goalkeeper Weverton down to his right.
“I don’t have words to say anything”, Neymar said later, sobbing.
“I can’t begin to describe my feelings”. I just want to thank my teammates, my friends and my family, who have been by my side during the most hard moments.
One young boy’s decision to scratch out Neymar’s name on the back of his shirt to replace it with captain of the Brazil women’s team Marta went viral. He did not elaborate.
It pictured thousands of Brazilian fans “exploding with joy” as they watched the tense final at the Olympic Boulevard, where many stayed to party despite the rain storm which drenched the crowd.
Brazil star Neymar labelled winning Olympic gold as one of the “best things” of his life as he hit back at critics following Saturday’s dramatic win over Germany.
With the scores at 4-4, all he has to do is score, and his team win Olympic gold.
In extra time, Brazil saw a forward sprint clear of the German backline three times, but none of Gabriel Jesus, Luan or Felipe Anderson could capitalise on their chances.
Neymar (BRA) of Brazil holds his gold medal.
“This ball is mine, it’s part of history”, Weverton added.
“We had this discussion and it wasn’t public at the time before”.
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Meanwhile, Brazil coach Rogerio Micale said that the victory has restored their self-esteem. “We see that not all was lost, our football is still alive”.
