Brazil’s captain Neymar scored from a free-kick as the match was undecided 1-1 after regulation time.
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Remember how it felt on that balmy Saturday night in this fabled temple of soccer, the Maracana, when the Selecao held its nerve through 120 minutes and a penalty shootout to gain some small measure of revenge against Germany.
“I have so many memories from Maracana, and today a new one was created”.
Brazil’s inability to medal was heartbreaking for Marta, the talented five-time Federation Internationale de Football Association world player of the year, who was finally getting the attention she has deserved from her native country.
So victory by the long underperforming football team and its sometimes wayward superstar Neymar are a morale booster.
Rogerio Micale’s men had looked bright up until that point and continued to threaten, with Luan having an attempt blocked before an inswinging Neymar corner caused havoc.
Both teams had converted their first four kicks but after Nils Petersen missed Germany’s fifth, Neymar, who had struggled with cramp during the second half of a tight game that ended 1-1 after extra time, was left with the chance to win it for Brazil.
Some were already asking whether Neymar’s name should be added to the list of Brazil’s greats, joining the Pele, Zico and “the phenomenon” Ronaldo.
“He’s a leader on the national team”.
It’s hard to believe the five-time World Cup winners had failed to win the men’s Olympic tournament previously, but until Sunday, silver medals in 1984, 1988 and 2012 were their best efforts.
Still, the Olympics started disastrously for the hosts.
After lacklustre scoreless draws against South Africa and Iraq, he was mocked by fans, some of who contrasted him unfavourably with Marta, who wears the number 10 for the Brazil women’s team.
“Obviously this tournament had a special meaning for Brazil”, Neymar said.
Meyer nearly responded immediately for Germany, first inadvertently with a free-kick of his own that was deflected amongst a crowd of players in the box before finding its way onto the Brazil crossbar once again, and then with a volley from the resulting corner, which was well saved by goalkeeper Weverton down to his right.
The victory comes two years after an embarrassing 7-1 home loss to Germany’s senior team in the World Cup semifinals. He is not simply one of the finest players in the world. We love and hate from one day to the next.
Neymar has developed into a specialist from dead-ball situations and he showed it once again in the final of the Rio Olympics 2016 against Germany by converting a free-kick from over 25 yards.
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“For most people across this country, there was nothing more important in the Olympics than this game”, she said.
