Neymar sparks Brazil in Olympic soccer semifinal win
It took just 15 seconds for the glory. Weight of a nation was lifted from the shoulders of Brazilian soccer superstar Neymar and his Olympic teammates Wednesday afternoon.
Neymar sparks Brazil in Olympic soccer semifinal win
Neymar’s opportunistic goal off a Honduran defensive blunder set the tone for a stunning 6-0 semifinal victory. It puts Brazil one win away from its only major soccer title in history.
The Barcelona star scored three goals, had three assists. Moreover, besides that he punctuated the Brazilian party with a penalty kick further in added time. A sea of yellow worshiped the 24-year-old with “Ole, Ole, Ole, Ole, Ney-mar! Ney-mar!” Brazilian team will face Germany in the final on Saturday. It will be rather a rematch of the 2014 World Cup semifinal that Germany won 7-1, a loss that still scars Brazilian players and fans.
After Wednesday’s game, Brazil coach Rogerio Micale had tried to explain what Neymar means to the team.
“He is a monster, in a good way,” Micale said. “…has a gift of playing football and delights everyone with his talent. There are external influences that got him here, and we have to see if we can study that and replicate it with other players. There are a lot of pressures and demands on him, but he is handling it in a positive way.
“Brazilian players are not so dead. I still believe in Brazilian football. We have to be grateful for Neymar. He pushes Brazilian soccer to another level.”
The host entered this tournament desperate for redemption, determined after their humiliating exit from the 2014 World Cup. And they seem to be well on they way
