 |
| Brazil find redemption, make history at the Maracana |
Results
Gold medal match
Brazil 1-1 Germany AET, Brazil win on penalties ( 5-4)
Bronze medal match
Honduras 2-3 Nigeria
No matter what, history was going to be made at he Maracana. Neither Brazil nor Germany had managed to win gold in the Men's Olympic Football Tournament. Brazil had three silver medals and two bronze, while Germany's third-place finish at Seoul 1988 represented their ever showing at the Games.
A gold on home soil against the Germans would never completely heal the wounds of the 7-1 semi-final Germany win in Belo Horizonte two years ago at FIFA World Cup, but the opportunity for Brazil to write a new and historic chapter in thier football history was there for the taking.
Overlooking the historic Maracana in Rio de Janeiro is the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue, and it was Brazil's moment for redemption on Saturday evening. The Brazilian fan in the Maracana sent positive vibes the team's way well before kick-off, singing "Today is the ay for happiness", a traditional Rio de Janeiro song and "Get up on your feet if you you've won five would titles" throughout the early stages of the final.
Neymar then gave the nation what they were all waiting for when he scored a superb free-kick about 25 yards out in the 27th minute. As soon as hist shot hit off the crossbar, bounced up and kissed the inside of Germany's top netting, the Maracana was rocking and bouncing with hope of finally capturing the coveted gold medal. Germany captain Max Meyer then shocked the hosts in the 59th minute, becoming the first player to score against Brazil in the entire tournament.
After the gold medal match could not be decided in regular time and extra time, a penalty shoot-out was needed to crown the champions, and it was Neymar who scored the winning gold, ending Brazil's waiting wait for an Olympic gold at the Maracana, the centre of the country's football heart and soul and leaving the supporter singing "the champion is back"
Earlier in the day in Belo Horizonte, Nigeria capped off a successful Rio 2016 campaign by holding off a resilient Honduras side 3-2 thanks to a brace from Sadiq Umar and a goal from Aminu Umar. 'Dream Team VI' completed the country's sweep of Olympic medals in the competition, have won gold in 1996 and silver in 2008.
0 comments:
Post a Comment