Rio de Janeiro, Aug 21: Legendary Brazilian footballer Pele described his country’s historic first Olympic men’s football triumph as the “perfect ending” to the Rio Games.
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Led by 20 points from the tournament’s top scorer, the impeccable Wallace, Brazil avenged a 3-1 pool stage defeat to the Italians, who have never won Olympic gold, losing in the final three times now.
After a 1-1 draw in the final, Germany took them to extra time and penalties – and it was captain Neymar who hit the final and title winning penalty kick.
“We did a good job of bottling all that up and unleashed it on Serbia”, George said.
“This is one of the best things that have happened in my life”, the Barcelona forward said. I think we could have won but there’s a lot of luck with penalties. “I’ll leave here with the sensation of having done my duty”.
In the men’s water polo final, Serbia beat defending world champion Croatia 11-7 to win its first Olympic gold medal in the sport.
Olympic football may be a sideshow for most but it has been the main event for the millions of Brazilians that, throughout the competition, have crammed around TVs and filled stadiums at an Olympics when tickets have proved hard to shift. He even wears the No. 10 made famous by Pele.
Brazil kept pushing forward and just before the half-hour mark they got the goal that their play deserved.
Neymar paused, gathering his thoughts as he stuttered towards the ball, nearly grinding to a halt before stroking his penalty kick high to the left of Germany’s goalkeeper Timo Horn.
Bender passed to the overlapping Jeremy Toljan and he found the unmarked Meyer, who arrowed a low shot into the net.
Gabriel Jesus nearly put Brazil ahead when he touched a Renato Augusto cross wide after 64 minutes and Felipe Anderson should have given the hosts the lead 13 minutes later but he was caught in possession with only the keeper to beat.
Carmelo Anthony also picked up his third gold to go with a bronze, becoming the most decorated male in Olympic basketball history.
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Neymar said it was an unforgettable moment after sending the Maracana into raptures on Saturday.
