The entire nation of Brazil celebrates their first ever gold medal in Olympic football courtesy of Neymar and the men's football team. The gold medal win came in dramatic fashion as Brazil defeated their rivals, Germany, in a closely contested penalty shootout.
As fate would have it, two of the biggest footballing countries in the world would meet again and challenge each other for another major international prize, as Brazil and Germany faced off in the Olympic football final. The first goal came from Neymar himself, from a 30-yard free kick that sailed past the German defensive wall and through the hands of the German goalkeeper, according to The Guardian. Germany would then return the favor with a goal of their own from German striker Max Meyer in the second half.
The Olympic finals went through extra time with no goals and was soon determined by a penalty shoot-out. The penalties went back and forth with neither club getting the edge until Brazil's goalkeeper Weverton de Silva deflected the fifth penalty shot by Germany's Nils Peterson. It then came down to Brazil's football prince, Neymar, who scored the last shot, sealing the game and bringing home the Olympic gold medal.
"This is one of the best things that has happened in my life. That's it," says Neymar, after running off on the pitch with tears of joy streaming down his face, in a post-match interview, according to a report from BBC Sport.
The Olympic final came as a must win for Brazil, who came off a crushing loss to Germany in the 7-1 semifinal thrashing in the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Brazil, who were playing in front of 78,000 people in the famed Maracaña stadium, did well on their promise.
The final Olympic football standing finished with Brazil winning gold, Germany with Silver, and Nigeria with Bronze.
