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Brazil blasts Honduras to book spot in Olympic gold medal game

neymar

Scoring problem? What scoring problem?

After dismantling Denmark, 4-0, in their final group stage match and subsequently defeating Colombia, 2-0, in the quarterfinals, a lightning start devolved into an utter beatdown in the Olympic semifinals as Brazil laid waste to Honduras by a final scoreline of 6-0.

The host nation could not have asked for a better start as Neymar put Brazil up a goal after only 15 seconds. Honduras played the kickoff back to their defense before a lurking Neymar intercepted a pass. He attempted to fire a quick shot beyond the keeper which was saved, but unfortunately for the Honduran keeper, the ball ricocheted off Neymar’s chest and into goal as the crowd erupted as the captain recorded the first goal of the match.

Things would not improve for the CONCACAF side as Brazil would find the back of the net another two times in the first half while dominating play with their fluid attacking style. Gabriel Jesus would be the man to increase his sides advantage each time as he recorded a brace before the match reached the midway point. The first came after a beautifully weighted ball by Luan in behind the defense, which Jesus would slip past the charging Honduran keeper. The second was assisted by Neymar via a well placed through ball that Jesus fired high to the keeper’s right.

The second half would tell much the same tale. Marquinhos would make it four for Brazil only six minutes into the second half. A curling corner fell to the Paris Saint-Germain defender’s feet but he botched his first attempt. No Honduran was around to close him down and Marquinhos simply placed the ball into the back of the net.

The match would stay at four until the 79th minute when Luan placed a ball played by Felipe Anderson across the face of goal into the back of an open net to bring the scoreline to 5-0. Brazil wasn’t done yet, however, as Luan would be brought down in the box in stoppage time to earn a penalty. The captain ended the match as it had begun, slotting home the penalty to complete his brace and secure Brazil’s stunning 6-0 ticket to the finals.

The scoreline well represented a dominant performance from the hosts, who managed 19 shots (11 on target) and drew 22 fouls and 5 yellow cards from Honduras. They’ll hope for a similar performance in the finals against the winners of  the second semifinal, a clash between Nigeria and Germany.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Neymar is the undisputed man of the match. The captain started off a dominant performance with a 15-second goal and then proceeded to get another to close the match out with an assist sandwiched in between.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

A monumental moment for the nation, Neymar’s 15-second goal will become a part of Brazilian soccer folklore for generations to come if they succeed in claiming the team’s first gold medal.

MATCH TO FORGET

Honduras. Though many individuals made mistakes, the whole team shares the blame for a resounding 6-0 defeat.

Comments

  1. Amazing atmosphere at Maracana stadium today. Honduras was thoroughly outclassed. Players looked shell shocked as they entered the field and the lightning fast goal was the nail in the coffin..

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