Neymar Helps Brazil Beat Germany For Olympic Gold In Men"s Soccer

Sports Josh Butler
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There were no seats empty for this encounter. Rio residents and some Brazilians may not have cared much for the Olympics, but it was clear that they cared about the soccer part of it.

The country is well-known for its love for soccer, more than any other game. When Neymar, Brazil’s current soccer icon, tapped in the winning penalty kick in the exhilarating shootout to steal the victory, little else mattered for the team.

Was that overdramatic? No, not here. Not in a country where a part of its identity has since been rooted in soccer success. Where the people have no love for their politicians, look in despair at their social issues and could even think of different ways to spend the Olympic money.

But now it seems it was worth it. This was a perfect storybook ending rounded off by the country’s best soccer player in recent years.

Neymar, had scored the opener in a much impressive first half performance after converting a clinical free kick. However, the Germans fought back with a Max Meyer’s equalizer that took the match into extra time and then, a penalty shootout.

Germany have a great record in shootouts (after seeing off a near-perfect record in penalties in major soccer tournaments), but perhaps this victory for the Brazilian’s was destiny. Nils Petersen’s effort was saved by Weverton, before Neymar stepped forward to wrap up the tie.

Brazil the world’s greatest in soccer has won five World Cup’s but had never won the Olympics gold. Before this golden victory, the Olympic Games had done little for the city’s morale. The people, didn’t really want the Olympics there at all. But they wanted the victory. They wanted gold in soccer the sport they cherish the most above all others.