One of the first things that Neymar did after netting the winning penalty on Saturday was to renounce the captaincy of the senior team.
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The rising pressure must have got to Germany too because striker Nils Petersen saw his team’s fifth penaty saved by Weverton.
TRIATHLON WINNER: Coming into the Rio Games, the USA had never won an Olympic triathlon gold medal.
It is anyone’s guess what must have gone through Neymar’s mind as he walked up to the spot to take the kick that could give him legendary status in a country that has given us Ademir, Garrincha, Pele, Rivelinho, Jairzinho, Romario, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, Carlos Alberto and Ronaldo.
Brazil’s forward trio of Neymar, Gabriel Jesus, and Gabriel Barbosa have captured the imagination of the Games throughout the competition, with the young pair tipped to follow in the Barcelona star’s footsteps and become world-renowned players.
Two years ago, World Cup hosts and tournament favourites Brazil suffered their heaviest ever World Cup defeat as they fell 5-0 behind inside 29 minutes on their way to that 7-1 thrashing by the Germans.
Rio de Janerio: Germany refused to be intimidated in the hostile cauldron of Rio’s Maracana stadium but they faced an uphill task against 11 Brazilian players roared on by 80,000 vengeful and passionate fans. “Say something to the people and to the football community, by doing something different”, Micale said.
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.
The Brazil legend, who declined a request to participate in the Rio 2016 opening ceremony due to ill health, also praised the organisers for a successful Games.
“Now the respect is back”, said fan Guilherme Junior.
The final Olympic football standing finished with Brazil winning gold, Germany with Silver, and Nigeria with Bronze.
“Brazil showed excellence both on and off the field”.
It looked as if the ideal script was being written for the host nation but the second half was a tougher affair as Germany asserted themselves and equalized.
Bayer Leverkusen’s Julian Brandt, who roamed in from the right-hand side throughout the contest, was the first to send a gasp around the Maracana in the 10th minute, curing a long-range effort against the bar after good work from Arsenal midfielder Serge Gnabry down the left wing.
Neymar performed well against Colombia in the quarters, then confirmed he was back in business in the semi-final against Honduras, scoring the fastest goal in Olympic history just 15 seconds after the start.
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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. “I can’t describe my feelings right now”.
