While the gold medal game ended well for Brazil, providing a modicum of revenge for the 7-1 loss to Germany at the 2014 World Cup – a match in which Neymar didn’t feature due to injury – the team endured a hard tournament.
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Breaking down into tears of joy after the fateful spot-kick in front of a rapturous home-crowd, he also announced later on his plans to step down as Brazil’s captain.
Neymar was under considerable pressure as the most recognizable player at the Olympics.
The Barcelona forward slotted home to jubilant scenes at a packed Maracana as a 5-4 shoot-out win over Germany, after a 1-1 draw, exacted revenge for a humiliating 7-1 World Cup semi-final defeat to the world champions two years ago.
Brazil’s Neymar, center, celebrates with teammates during the medal ceremony after the final match of the men’s Olympic football tournament between Brazil and Germany at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016.
First, he scored the team’s first goal in the 27th minute. The ecstasy would be short-lived though, as Germany replied with resilience and rattled the cross-bar three times before the referee signaled the end of the first half.
Julian Brandt’s fine curling effort came back off the bar, whilst Sven Bender also hit the woodwork from close range. So penalties it was.
Neymar was honoured to lead the Olympic hosts to gold medal glory against a talented German side.
“Brazil welcomed the world with open arms and showed everyone our special way of life – in both work and play”, the 75-year-old said in a separate tweet.
Brazil’s Neymar weeps as he kneels down to celebrate after scoring the decisive penalty kick during the final match of the men’s Olympic football tournament between Brazil and Germany at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday Aug. 20, 2016.
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The first eight penalties in the shootout were all successful before Brazil goalkeeper Weverton stopped Nils Petersen’s effort to set the stage for Neymar. Banishing the memories of two years ago with Olympic gold will surely aid in that process.
