Brazil clinched their first ever Olympic football title – the only major prize to elude the five-time World Cup winners – by beating Germany 5-4 on penalties at the Maracana on Saturday.
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Aided by hosts Brazil’s run to a first Olympic gold, a dramatic penalty shootout final win against Germany was played out in front of the biggest crowd of the whole Games as 78,000 crammed into the iconic Maracana.
The Barcelona star scored the winning penalty in a shootout victory against Germany on Saturday at the Maracana Stadium, much to the delight of the home crowd.
Neymar put Brazil ahead 1-0 with a superb free kick in the 26th minute and the Germans tied it with a goal in the 59th minute by captain Maximilian Meyer.
The victory also gave Brazil a measure of revenge for their humiliating 7-1 defeat by Germany in the semi-finals on the 2014 World Cup on home soil – a game Neymar had to watch from the sidelines due to injury.
The Rio Olympics proved third time lucky for Neymar, having been injured in the run-up to Brazil’s traumatic elimination at the World Cup by Germany two years ago and suspended during the 2015 Copa America, in which Brazil also fell short.
Canada players celebrates after Christine Sinclair scoring their side’s second goal during the bronze medal match of the women’s Olympic football tournament between Brazil and Canada at the Arena Corinthians stadium in Sao Paulo, Friday Aug. 19, 2016.
In the 77th minute, Neymar played Felipe Anderson in on goal with a through pass but the substitute was caught from behind by Germany defenders. It may not be as fashionable as a World Cup, but for the players and the local population, it was nothing less than winning one.
The Brazilian people will be hoping this allows Neymar to operate with more freedom for the national team. “This is one of the best things that have happened in my life”.
“I don’t have words to say anything”, Neymar said, sobbing.
It was the crowning achievement of the 2016 Olympics for Brazil, restoring some of the nation’s soccer pride after a series of disappointing results. Brzil scored in all of their penalty kicks. “I can’t describe my feelings right now”. But the seven-time major victor took command with a 5-under 66 and won a gold medal.
Reports suggested European champions Portugal were turned back in their approach to 50 players.
The 24-year-old, wearing his gold medal, was visibly furious by whatever was said and had to be restrained by security guards (see below).
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The post Neymar Hands Off Captain Armband After Olympic Win appeared first on 360Nobs.com. However, Germany found their equalizer after the break through Max Meyer to make it 1-1 in the game.
