Brazil’s Neymar cries as he kneels down to celebrate with teammate goalkeeper Weverton 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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“This is one of the best things that has happened in my life”, said Neymar. And after eight flawless spot kicks, Brazil’s keeper Weverton stole the limelight by saving Nils Peterson’s penalty. “We have replied with good football”.
It is unusual for football to become the main event of the Games, but, for the most successful nation in World Cup history, the hitherto lack of Olympic gold had become an obsession. “Ole, Ole, Ole, Ole, Ola, Neymar, Neymar” greeted the players as they took to the pitch.
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.
Earlier, the Brazilian skipper put his side in the lead with a superb free kick in the 27th minute of the game before Germany skipper Maximilian Meyer came with an equaliser just before the hour to force the extra period.
Despite renouncing his captaincy, Neymar still is expected to be a key player as Brazil resumes its troubled campaign to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russian Federation.
At the end, it was the hosts who emerged champions; beating Germany 5-4 at the Maracana stadium late Saturday night.
Meanwhile, head coach Rogerio Micale proudly declared that “Brazilian football is not dead” after leading the nation to gold.
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.
“Now the respect is back”, said fan Guilherme Junior. Brazil won the gold medal on penalty shoot-out.
Meyer and Germany struck back in the second half with his fourth goal of the Olympics.
Serbia beat Croatia 11-7 to win the country’s first Olympic gold in men’s water polo.
Sweden started surprisingly positively but Germany began to impose themselves as the match went on and the best chance of the half fell to Anja Mittag after 25 minutes.
“Brazil showed excellence both on and off the field”.
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Seven Network commentator Jim Wilson quickly dubbed it Brazil’s “Cathy Freeman moment”, in reference to the Australian’s iconic 400-metre gold at the 2000 Games in Sydney. “Yes, I am sure this will give reason for pride and confidence in the Brazilian people in the national team”, the Brazil coach said at the post-final press conference.
