Goalkeeper Weverton, defenders Marquinhos and Rodrigo Caio, midfielder Renato Augusto and strikers Neymar, Gabriel Barbosa and Gabriel Jesus all played in the final at the Maracana stadium on Saturday to give the hosts their first Olympic gold in men’s football.
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The pressure appeared to have paid off when Meyer equalised through a loose ball but both teams kept their own until the referee’s final whistle after 120 minutes, as there was no other goal in the extra time. Weverton saved Nils Peteresen’s spot-kick before Neymar scored the golden penalty.
It comes two years after Germany thrashed Brazil 7-1 in the 2014 World Cup semi-finals in Belo Horizonte.
However, despite securing the only title that evaded Brazil, the Barcelona forward reveals he does not want the armband anymore. I was glad to receive it, I have honored it, but today I am (leaving it).
The equaliser sent jitters across Brazil as it reminded the host of its previous three Olympics football finals in 1984, 1988 and 2012, when it lost the gold.
The goal shook Germany into action and they pushed forward more and hit the bar twice more before the half was out. Jeremy Toljan sent in a low cross from the right and captain Maximilian Meyer swept home a lovely finish from about 10 metres.
Anderson then nearly scored 16 minutes into extra time but Horn got down superbly to block his shot as he raced in on goal.
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Neymar said it was an unforgettable moment after sending the Maracana into raptures on Saturday.
