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.
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“This is one of the best things that has happened in my life”, said Neymar. But the 24-year-old superstar more than made up for his previous absence, as one of three players over 23 years old Brazil was allowed to field.
The final game had to be decided via a penalty shoot-out, following a normal and extra time 1-1 finish after 120 minutes. For them to have never won an Olympic Gold Medal in football was nothing short of shocking, but Neymar and his triumphant band of boys have ensured that the particular anomaly exists no more.
The entire nation of Brazil celebrates their first ever gold medal in Olympic football courtesy of Neymar and the men’s football team.
Having already netted an astonishing free-kick to open the scoring against the Germans, Neymar stepped forward to slot home the fifth and final spot kick to banish the lasting nightmare of the hosts’ 7-1 defeat to Saturday’s opponents from two years ago.
Sweden had qualified for the final after penalty shoot out wins against the US and Brazil, and playing a defensive style in the knock out rounds that had been condemned by opponents.
Neymar was also roundly criticised for his underwhelming displays in Brazil’s opening 0-0 draws against South Africa and Iraq. “Ole, Ole, Ole, Ole, Ola, Neymar, Neymar” greeted the players as they took to the pitch. Now the gold was his, Brazil’s first in Olympic history, and the whole nation was there to share his happiness.
Melina Bettancourt sat quietly watching as the Brazil men’s Olympic soccer team warmed up for the gold-medal game against Germany on Saturday night.
However, Germany found their equalizer after the break through Max Meyer to make it 1-1 in the game.
The last American to win the Olympics 1500m was Mel Sheppard in the 1908 London Games. And after eight ideal spot kicks, Brazil’s keeper Weverton stole the limelight by saving Nils Peterson’s penalty. Brazil was also coming off a demoralizing elimination in the group stage of this year’s Copa America.
Brandt then dinked a delicate free-kick into the Brazilian penalty area, which Sven Bender nodded on past a stranded Weverton, and the ball hitting the crossbar for the third time and over.
“I can’t begin to describe [my feelings]”.
Meanwhile, Brazil coach Rogerio Micale said that the victory has restored their self-esteem.
The final Olympic football standing finished with Brazil winning gold, Germany with Silver, and Nigeria with Bronze.
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One young boy’s decision to scratch out Neymar’s name on the back of his shirt to replace it with captain of the Brazil women’s team Marta went viral.
