Saturday night’s victory was not only Neymar‘s redemption, it was a nation’s.
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With Olympic gold finally in hand, the pressure is squarely on Brazil’s senior team now.
All the troubles were forgotten when Neymar’s kick sailed into the net. “This is one of the best things that have happened in my life”.
Neymar was on the World Cup team but didn’t play against Germany because of a back injury sustained in the quarterfinals against Colombia. Fireworks burst over the stadium, vehicle horns blared and fans sang and tossed beer into the air.
The match at Rio’s iconic Maracana Stadium was Neid’s last as a coach.
A unified Germany is the now the only country to have won the World Cup but have not won the Olympic gold medal.
Germany followed its goal with more firm footwork and Brazil, insecure and nervous, knew that if it put more rhythm in counter-attacks, the skill and speed of Neymar and his team could surprise the German defense.
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.
The Barcelona forward scored a stunning free-kick to put the Selecao ahead in the first half.
With Brazil’s dreams of gold in danger of being shattered, Neymar came close in the 77th minute with a little jink and a shot from the outside the area.
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.
Prosecutors in both Spain and Brazil have come after he and his father on charges of tax fraud.
The 5-4 shoot-out win exacted revenge for a humiliating 7-1 World Cup semi-final defeat to Germany two years ago.
The stop set the stage for Neymar, as if scripted. The 24-year-old soccer sensation was named Brazil’s captain in 2014.
Goalkeeper Weverton was full of praise for Neymar, saying: “God has blessed me”.
“I said to my players before the game: this is your stadium, go out and you’ll see 80,000 people to welcome you”, he said. I just want to thank my teammates, my friends and my family, who have been by my side during the most hard moments.
Just two weeks ago Neymar’s commitment to the Olympic team was questioned by Brazil’s fans. He did not elaborate.
Their rich football history notwithstanding, it is the first time Brazil have won the Olympic gold trophy.
“This is something completely new, so this is definitely a new summit for German women’s football”, said Germany coach Silvia Neid, who is retiring after the Olympics.
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Neymar apart, few of Brazil’s top players are stand out performers at their club sides.
