Germany humiliated Brazil 7-1 in the semi-finals of the 2014 World Cup and the Brazilians gained a measure of revenge to win the Olympic gold medal.
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He opened the scoring with a sensational first-half free-kick before Max Meyer’s equaliser sent the game into extra-time and eventually penalties.
Earlier in the tournament, when the eventual gold-winning Brazilian men’s team and star Neymar were struggling, some fans crossed out his name on their No. 10 jerseys and wrote in hers in magic marker.
Success for the home nation prompted a huge outpouring of joy at the Maracana, with Neymar – member of the team that lost the 2012 Olympic final to Mexico – in tears after sealing the gold medal.
The Brazilians kept the pressure but the German defenders gave their all to ensure the Olympics host did not have their way.
It however, paid off when Meyer equalised through a loose ball.
Despite the drama of extra-time and penalties, the duo clearly left an impact on Neymar who sought them out during his victory lap.
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“This is one of the best things that has happened in my life”, said the Barcelona star who promptly stepped down as captain.
Brazil, though, know all too well that such emotion is not always enough and Germany fired a warning shot in the 10th minute, with Julian Brandt curling a handsome strike that rattled both the crossbar and partisan crowd. Renato Augusto, who was excellent in midfield, set up new Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus shortly after after breaking down the right flank, but Jesus could only direct his effort just wide of the post.
Rogerio Micale was the boss and tasked with being the redeemer of Brazilian football after the embarrassing Copa America exit two months ago. “We are focused only on playing well and winning this gold medal”. He has also adopted the nickname Gabigol with two goals in Brazil’s group stage victory over Denmark.
Neymar was also roundly criticised for his underwhelming displays in Brazil’s opening 0-0 draws against South Africa and Iraq.
However, they struggled to make chances and it was the Germans who nearly opened the scoring after 10 minutes when Julian Brandt smacked the bar with a lovely curling shot from outside the box.
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“Actually we have to say that if someone had told us this beforehand, then we would have gone with it, and we would have gone along with everything and done it just like that”, he said. “Not only to the next match, but to the future of the national team”. We are used to seeing Portugal and Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo leaving himself as the fifth taker to consume all the glory, but this time, there was the wait for Neymar to step up as the twenty-four-year-old leader showed his egotistic side.
