A pulsating gold medal match against Germany finished 1-1 after extra time at the Maracana and fittingly it was the poster boy of Brazilian football, Neymar, that hammered home the winning spot-kick in a 5-4 shoot-out victory.
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The victory over Germany is also a symbolic act of revenge, as the European nation beat the South Americans 7-1 in the semi-finals of the World Cup two years ago.
The Germany-Brazil soccer featured almost entirely different rosters from the 2014 World Cup that marked a low point for Brazilian sports.
As fate would have it, two of the biggest footballing countries in the world would meet again and challenge each other for another major global prize, as Brazil and Germany faced off in the Olympic football final.
The men’s soccer tournament attracted most of the attention of Brazilian fans at the Olympics. “God loves Neymar like he loves all of this team”.
Then the legend returned by netting the final penalty kick in extra time, sending Maracanã into figurative flames.
Neymar has announced he intends to step down as Brazil captain after guiding the country to the long-awaited Olympic gold medal at Rio 2016. The 24-year-old soccer sensation was named Brazil’s captain in 2014.
Sweden’s coach Pia Sundhage, who led the US team to gold medals in Beijing and London, replied by stating: “It’s OK to be a coward if you win”.
Instead, Nils Petersen’s saved penalty allowed Neymar to end the five-time World Cup winners’ long quest for men’s football gold, bringing relief to a country whose complexities and problems have been reflected at times by their Olympics.
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.
Neymar was instrumental as a Brazil captain.
“God has blessed me”, he said.
While Neymar has established himself as undoubtedly one of the best players in the world and won the Champions League and two La Liga titles with Barcelona, his success on the pitch has been overshadowed by off-field difficulties.
‘We can look to the future with more confidence and more pride, ‘ said an optimistic Micale.
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Prosecutors in both Spain and Brazil have come after he and his father on charges of tax fraud.
