Fireworks burst over the stadium, auto horns blared and fans sang and tossed beer into the air.
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Sweden’s coach Pia Sundhage, who led the USA team to gold medals in Beijing and London, replied by stating: “It’s OK to be a coward if you win”. Neymar (BRA) of Brazil poses with his gold medal.
Barcelona’s forward Neymar captained Brazil to their first ever Olympics men’s soccer gold medal in Rio.
In the final, Neymar not only clinched the win in penalty kicks but scored the team’s lone goal in regulation.
Neymar scored the clinching goal for Brazil with a nifty penalty kick in a victory that touched off celebrations all across the soccer-obsessed nation.
For Brazil, the win goes some way to eradicating the painful memories of their home World Cup two years ago when they were humiliated 7-1 by Germany in the semi-finals.
Neymar converted the decisive penalty in the shootout after Brazilian goalkeeper Weverton stopped Nils Petersen’s shot from the spot.
The Olympic tournament was the only major soccer tournament that Brazil had failed to win, and they finally accomplished it in front of an apoplectic Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
The stop set the stage for Neymar, as if scripted.
Neymar has never been a unanimously popular choice as Brazil captain.
“I don’t have any words to describe it properly, but when you reach your goal it is just that moment of pure joy”, said Neid, who will next work as a scout for the team. I just want to thank my teammates, my friends and my family, who have been by my side during the most hard moments.
Neymar was appointed the Selecao’s captain by former coach Dunga, following Brazil’s disastrous campaign at the 2014 World Cup it hosted two years ago. He did not elaborate.
Tellingly, it was also the most treasured medal of an at times troublesome Olympic experience for the hosts. Despite its rich history, the spiritual home of football was best known worldwide for one of Brazil’s most painful defeats, a 2-1 reverse against Uruguay in the final of the 1950 World Cup.
The Brazilian national team is filled with talent, even their Olympic squad is stocked with players very much in demand around the world. Brazil won the bronze two times.
“Beloved nation, the gold is ours”, Brazilian goalie Weverton said.
‘We can look to the future with more confidence and more pride, ‘ said an optimistic Micale.
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“This is something completely new, so this is definitely a new summit for German women’s football”, said German coach Silvia Neid, who is retiring after the Olympics. “There are some things that need to be fixed, but today we were able to make our people happy”.
