Brazil national team coach Dunga and poster boy Neymar now have a good reason to walk with shoulders high in the country, having conquered the world to the only trophy they’ve been missing for many years.
Image: Brazil soccer team at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
The five-time World Cup champion won the only championship against Germany on Saturday, edging out their opponent with a 5-4 win after penalties.
Brazil won their soccer gold medal for the first time with Neymar who skipped playing at the Copa America 2016 just to feature at the Olympics. His personal efforts gave the hosts their first ever Olympic gold, no doubts.
With this historical feat, the former Santos plater has avoided joining a long list stars who failed to win the gold for Brazil, including Romario, Rivaldo, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho.
Neymar lived up to expectations, carrying his country men on his shoulders from the group stages into the finals.
The Barca forward scored with a superb free kick in regulation time and converted the decisive penalty in the shootout after Brazilian goalkeeper Weverton stopped Nils Petersen’s shot.
Image: Brazil star Neymar celebrates victory.
What a day it was for Brazil! This soccer gold crowns the country’s achievement for the 2016 Olympics.
For every Brazilian, pride has been restored and memories of other losses holds no meaning anymore.
Neymar’s dream to a World Cup trophy was squashed by injury after he fell to the knee of a Columbian player, leading the exit way for Brazil to follow as Germany humiliated the South American team with 7 goals.
However, in a twist of fate, both countries met again at the Olympics and this time, Brazil got their own pound of flesh.
Excited Neymar fell down on the pitch shedding tears of joy after he was mobbed by his teammates as the crowd at iconic Maracana Stadium cheered wildly.
Image: Brazil team celebrates after winning gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
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 talented youngsters that are expected to be in the main squad in the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
