Neymar, the redeemer applies healing touch

RIO DE JANEIRO: Neymar struck the winning penalty as Brazil claimed a first ever Olympic football gold medal on Saturday before announcing his intention to step

Published on: Aug 22, 2016, 07:06:10 IST

By HT Correspondent

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RIO DE JANEIRO: Neymar struck the winning penalty as Brazil claimed a first ever Olympic football gold medal on Saturday before announcing his intention to step down as captain of the national team.

The Barcelona forward slotted home to jubilant scenes at a packed Maracana as a 5-4 shoot-out win over Germany, after a 1-1 draw, exacted revenge for a humiliating 7-1 World Cup semi-final defeat to the world champions two years ago.

“This is one of the best things that has happened in my life,” said Neymar, who sank to his knees in tears after scoring from the spot.

However, he also suddenly stepped down as captain after taking on the role in 2014 following Brazil’s disastrous World Cup exit. “It was an honour to be captain, but from today I am no longer captain,” he told SporTV.

LONG DUE

Olympic gold was the only major title to have escaped five-time world champions Brazil in their history. In front of the biggest crowd of Rio’s Games, including nine-time Jamaican gold medallist Usain Bolt, Neymar’s brilliant free-kick handed Brazil a first-half lead.

In honour of the retiring sprinting great, Neymar even adopted the “lightning bolt” celebration, whilst chants of “ole, ole, ole, Neymar” rang around Rio’s most iconic arena.

However, Germany captain Max Meyer enjoyed a special celebration of his own as he taunted the raucous 78,000 crowd at the Maracana by kissing the number seven on his shirt when he swept home Jeremy Toljan’s cross just before the hour mark.

ALL FOCUSSED

The first eight penalties in the shoot-out were all successful before Brazil goalkeeper Weverton stopped Nils Petersen’s effort to set the stage for Neymar. And he didn’t disappoint. With the weight of a nation on his shoulders, he rifled the ball into the top corner.

“Now they’ll (the critics) have to swallow what they said,” added Neymar after being fiercely criticised for his underwhelming early displays in the tournament.

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