Neymar scored after only 14 seconds – the fastest goal in Olympic football history – as Brazil thrashed Honduras 6-0 to reach the men’s final in Rio.
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The host now has the chance to ease some of the pain caused by a 7-1 humiliation at the hands of Germany on home soil at the 2014 World Cup by delivering Brazil’s first football gold medal. “They are favourites to win the gold medal”, he added.
Looking at the medal tally, US is in first place with 28 gold, 30 silver and 28 bronze, Great Britain is in second place with 19 gold, 19 silver and 12 bronze while China remain at third with 17 gold 15 silver and 19 bronze.
Brazilian fans had jeered and mocked Neymar after disappointing performances in the first two Olympic games – scoreless draws against South Africa and Iraq.
However, there was no repeat of his tears of anguish when carried off with two broken vertebrae in his back that ended his World Cup participation in a brutal quarter-final against Colombia two years ago.
“Hey Germany, just wait, your turn is coming up!” a fired-up fan base chanted.
Agatha and Barbara, the defending world champions, beat Americans Kerri Walsh Jennings and April Ross in the semifinals on Tuesday night to reach the finals.
If he can lead his squad to triumph in Saturday’s final, the team captain would cement his status as one of Brazil’s greatest ever players. The problems continued Wednesday when a Brazilian judge ordered that the passports of US swimmers Ryan Lochte and Jimmy Feigen be seized and that the swimmers stay in Brazil as authorities investigate Lochte’s claims that he was robbed at gunpoint. Park, who has won seven major championships, is playing for the first time in two months because of a thumb injury. Ireland’s national Olympic committee said Hickey is stepping down “until the matter is fully resolved”. Hickey is accused of plotting with at least nine others to illegally sell tickets for the Olympics. Tori Bowie of the United States took bronze in 22.15.
BOLT’S BACK – Usain Bolt advanced to the final for the 200 meters with the fastest time of the year and is one win away from his eighth Olympic gold medal. Luan freed the new Manchester City signing from the offside trap, and his assured finish went under the advancing keeper from 18 yards.
USA HOOPS – The Americans squeaked by in their three previous games, but looked more like their dominant selves in a 105-78 downing of proud Argentina.
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Germany will now face hosts Brazil in the gold medal game on Saturday in Rio, while Nigeria take on Honduras with the bronze medal at stake same day. Icho also is the first woman to win an individual gold medal in four straight Olympics, having started her historic run at the inaugural women’s tournament in Athens in 2004.
