Olympics-Final pits Brazil vs Germany and old ghosts

The home side, desperately seeking the only worldwide title they have yet to win, will face Germany in the final on Saturday after the Germans overcame Nigeria 2-0 in Sao Paulo. “He has the gift of playing football, he delights everyone with his talent”, said Brazil coach Rogerio Micale.

The Nigeria U23 will take on Honduras in the Bronze Medal match in Belo Horizonte on Saturday, while hosts Brazil take on Germany in the Gold Medal match at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro same day. “But I still believe in Brazilian football”.

The stakes are high as a win would mark the first time Brazil will have won Olympic gold in men’s football.

The Barcelona attacker landed awkwardly after his goal and there were fears the Brazil captain would be forced off, but he was eventually able to continue after undergoing treatment. Rodrigo Caio, 23, plays for Brazilian club Sao Paulo but soon will be on his way to Europe.

The hosts endured a hard start to the tournament as they were held to goalless draws by South Africa and Iraq, but have been firing on all cylinders ever since – seeing off Denmark and Colombia – and they were once more in impressive form on Thursday morning (AEST).

Neymar had just scored two goals Wednesday — including the fastest one in Olympic history, just 15 seconds into the game — to lead Brazil to a 6-0 rout of Honduras in the semifinals and keep alive its hopes of winning Olympic soccer gold for the first time. He is living through a positive period as opposed to a week ago, when there was a lot of demands and pressure on him. “Right now he is enjoying a good moment, but a week ago he was suffering a hard time with a lot of critics”, added Micale.

They fell just short in London four years ago, losing 2-1 to Mexico in the final to add to two other silver and two more bronze medals.

That six-goal mauling left a huge scar on Brazil’s footballing psyche and as the chants showed, fans in the host nation are desperate to get revenge if not on the full German side, then at least on a German side.

His absence saved him from the stinging criticism that followed. “7-1 was one time in a career, we will not win 7-1 against Brazil”.