The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Neymar clinches elusive gold for Brazil in penalty kicks,
Neymar leads victory that gives nation first Olympic soccer title.
Brazil’s trophy case is finally complete.
The five-time World Cup champion won the only championship it was still missing Saturday, defeating Germany 5-4 in a penalty shootout and claiming an Olympic soccer gold medal for the first time.
The match went to penalties tied 1-1.
Neymar scored with a superb free kick in regulation and converted the decisive penalty in the shootout after Brazilian goalkeeper Weverton stopped Nils Petersen’s shot.
“That’s it,” Neymar said. “We made history.”
The gold for the under-23 national team was the crowning achievement of the Olympics for Brazil, restoring some of the nation’s soccer pride after a series of disappointing results.
“I don’t have words to say anything,” Neymar said, sobbing. “I can’t describe my feelings right now. I just want to thank my teammates, my friends and my family, who have been by my side during the most difficult moments. It wasn’t easy. I don’t know what else to say, I’m just really happy.”
The victory avenged the senior team’s embarrassing 7-1 home loss to Germany in the World Cup semifinals two years ago. Brazil also was coming off a demoralizing elimination in the group stage of this year’s Copa America.
Germany made it hard for Brazil, hitting the crossbar three times in the first half and sending the game into extra time after captain Maximilian Meyer’s equalizer in the 59th minute.
The men’s soccer tournament attracted most of the attention of Brazilian fans at the Olympics. The Brazilian football federation took the Olympic tournament as seriously as ever, bringing Neymar and many other talented youngsters who are expected to be in the main squad in the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
The 60,000-capacity Olympic stadium was only a third full 20 minutes before the opening event of the track and field evening program. One giant roar from those fans after Germany missed its fifth penalty kick made it clear why there was a lack of attention. Following the game on their phones or over the radio, Brazilian eyes and ears were turned across town to the soccer venue.
The roar was even bigger when Neymar slotted the decisive kick, and fireworks started cracking around the Olympic stadium.
Brazil had lost three Olympic finals, including four years ago in London, when it was upset by Mexico 2-1 with a team that included Neymar and other talented players. Brazil won the bronze two times.
Neymar, who skipped the Copa America to try to give the hosts the Olympic gold, avoided joining a long list stars who failed to win the gold for Brazil, including Romario, Rivaldo, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho.
Bronze game: Sadiq Umar scored a pair of goals and Nigeria won Olympic bronze by holding off Honduras 3-2 in Belo Horizonte.
It was Nigeria’s third overall Olympic medal in soccer after a gold in 1996 and silver in 2008.
Honduras, which challenged with a pair of late goals, heads home empty-handed, but the team’s appearance in the medal round was its best finish at the Olympics.