80 days before the Olympics, remember Brazil’s first football gold

In the country of football, Olympic gold was the great absence until 2016. After three silvers and two bronzes, the Seleção won the long-awaited medal at home, at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

A 80 days of the Paris 2024 Olympics, the Flashscore tells the story of Brazil’s first Olympic title in men’s football. The country is not classified for this year’s edition, but is the current two-time champion.

In 2016, Neymar was the big star of the team led by Rogério Micale. The coach also had several rising young players to take Brazil to long awaited gold, like Luan, Gabigol and Gabriel Jesus. Marquinhos, aged 22, was another outstanding player in a team that It started badly, but it started at the right time.

The main teams do not usually take their great players to the Olympic Games. For Brazil, however, it was a matter of honor — even more so at home. With this, the Seleção bet on the best of its under-23 generation, and added two experienced players, in addition to Neymar, to make up the group: Weverton and Renato Augusto.

Past traumas

Kanu’s goal in extra time in 1996, the tough defeat to Argentina in 2008, the unexpected runner-up to Mexico in 2012… Brazilian history in men’s football at the Olympics was full of dramas without a happy ending, even with several stars on the field. The team accumulated five podiums until 2016, but never in the highest place.

They were three silver medals: Los Angeles 1984, with defeat to France; and Seoul 1988, with vice to the Soviet Union in extra time, in addition to the defeat to Mexico in London. O bronze came in Atlanta 1996, after the tragic defeat to Nigeria in the semi; and in Beijing 2008, after receiving a categorical 3-0 from the brothers.

From uncertainty to excitement

Brazil had everything to start very well in 2016 and gain confidence in the fight for gold. You 0-0 draws with South Africa and Iraqhowever, they made the Selection listen boos from the crowd and raise doubts for the rest of the tournament. The key started to turn in the last round of the first phase, with 4-0 victory over Denmark.

Gabigol, Gabriel Jesus and Luan, who formed a bold attacking quartet with Neymar, were the highlights of the victory that confirmed progress to the knockout stages. The team’s star disenchanted in the quarter-finals, against Colombia (2-0), and took off in the 6-0 defeat of Honduraswhich guaranteed a place in the final.

The relief at Maracanã

The decision against Germany had a taste of revengetwo years after the unforgettable 7 to 1 in the World Cup. The rival did not have big stars, but had young players who would establish themselves in the main team, such as Süle, Brandt and Gnabry.

Brazil’s players before the Olympic final against Germany in 2016Ricardo Stuckert/CBF

Despite Brazil’s technical superiority, the final was tense, nervous, in front of 63,707 people at Maracanã. Neymar opened the scoring with a great free kick in the first half. Meyer equalized after the break and forced extra time, which kept the 1 to 1 on the scoreboard.

Weverton was crucial in the penalty shootoutRicardo Stuckert/CBF

In the penalty drama, the batsmen converted the first eight penalties. It was there that Weverton saved Petersen’s shot and put the gold medal in Brazil’s hands. It was up to Neymar to displace the German goalkeeper and release the scream that was stuck in the throat of every Brazilian.