History is set to be made at the Maracana on Sunday morning, as hosts Brazil face Germany in the men’s football gold medal match at Rio 2016. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 6:15am (AEST) on Sunday morning.
Revenge has been ruled out as a motive by Brazilian players and coaches alike. Yet their people still hurt from the horror that transpired two years ago, when their senior team was humiliated at the hands of Germany.
Only Neymar remains from that Brazil squad, and even he didn’t make it onto the pitch on that fateful evening at Belo Horizonte, as a horrified nation watched seven goals pass through Julio Cesar’s net.
In many ways, Neymar was symptomatic of the hidden problem Brazil were rudely forced to realise to, that their team wasn’t up to scratch, and that their hopes and dreams were little more than hometown hyperbole.
Two years on, the decorated histories of both teams now contest for one title that has thus far eluded them. While Brazil may seek redemption, Germany seek a footballing double, following their ladies’ triumph only on Saturday.
Following a slow start of two draws against lowly South Africa and Iraq, Brazil have brushed aside far more fabled opposition convincingly to the tune of 12 goals, with none conceded.
While Neymar’s starpower is the obvious crux, the performances of Santos forward Gabriel Barbosa gives the hosts a much-needed alternative, while in Rafinha and Marquinhos, Brazil have chosen wisely their three senior players to occupy the central spine.
While Brazil were able to smash six past Honduras in the semi-final, occupying a four-man forward line will likely be out of the equation. Possible changes may be to strengthen the midfield, where possibly both Luan and Gabriel Jesus will make way.
Germany have nothing to capitalise on from the events of Belo Horizonte, regardless of how deep the wounds hold for the Brazilian public that will surely heckle their every move at the Maracana.
As with Brazil, Germany contrived to stalemate their first two group games before emphatically entering the quarter-finals with a 10-0 thumping of minnows Fiji.
As with Brazil, their progress in the knockouts have been similarly convincing on the scoresheet. Coach Horst Hrubesch will likely retain the XI that beat Nigeria in the semis, with Davie Selke opted as the lone frontman, while packing a five-man midfield to nullify Neymar and company.
The influences of the Bender twins in midfield on either side of captain Max Meyer will be critical in asserting Germany’s foothold, while Arsenal’s Serge Gnabry will alternate between a traditional number 10 and dropping to either wing where required.
Across the park, Germany look the more balanced unit, but Brazil have the motivation. Nothing can heal the scars of Mineirazo, but a gold medal will serve minimal relief to a nation eager to reintroduce silverware into their identity.
Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 6:15am (AEST) on Sunday morning.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Another penalty shoot-out? The Brazil of old would have been embarrassed to accept a victory under those circumstances.
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
Thanks for your company, on what has been a long, but entertaining morning of football. See below for the results. At fulltime at the Maracana, it finished Brazil 1(5) - 1(4) Germany. Good morning! GOLD - BRAZIL SILVER - GERMANY BRONZE - NIGERIA
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
It had to be Neymar, who is on the Maracana deck in tears of joy! The faithful inside the Maracana are rewarded - on balance, you'd say Brazil deserve it, on the sheer evidence of their will and desire to keep taking it to Germany. FULLTIME: Brazil 1 (5) - 1 (4) Germany
SVB
Guest
Congratulations Brazil!
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
Relief and joy inside the Maracana! The only piece of silverware will now make it inside! The Olympic gold goes to Brazil, and they have done so defeating Germany at their own game. Germany's devastated players console Nils Peterson, as they get silver. But Brazil have quelled the demons of Belo Horizonte, so much of this emotion has much to do with those events two years ago! FULLTIME: Brazil 1 (5) - 1 (4) Germany
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
Neymar (BRA) - SCORES. GOLD FOR BRAZIL!
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
Neymar stands up.
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
Peterson for Germany. Peterson (GER) - SAVED! WEVERTON SAVES, AND KEEPS IT OUT! IT SETS IT UP FOR NEYMAR! GER 4-4 BRA
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
Luan for Brazil. Pressure on now. Luan (BRA) - SCORES. Stutters, but tucks it past Horn, who guesses wrong again. Sudden death now. GER 4-4 BRA
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
Sule for Germany. Sule (GER) - SCORES. Weverton guesses right, but he can't reach it! GER 4-3 BRA
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
Rafinha now for Brazil. Rafinha (BRA) - SCORES. Rolls it to the right of Horn, who guesses wrong again! GER 3-3 BRA
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
Julian Brandt for Germany Brandt (GER) - SCORES. Weverton guesses wrong, and Brandt calmly dispatched it. GER 3-2 BRA
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
Marquinhos for Brazil. Marquinhos (BRA) - Horn guesses wrong, as Marquinhos smacks it to his right! GER 2-2 BRA
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
Gnabry (GER) - SCORES. Weverton got a hand to it, but he couldn't keep it out of the net! Germany ahead, but only just! GER 2-1 BRA
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
Sorry it was Augusto who scored that. Now it's Gnabry for Germany.
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
Caio for Brazil. Caio (BRA) - SCORES. Superbly smacked to the top right past the diving Horn. All level. GER 1-1 BRA
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
Ginter (GER) - SCORES. Places it past the diving Weverton to the right. GER 1-0 BRA
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
AFTER EXTRA TIME: Brazil 1-1 Germany Penalties will be taken at the right end of the ground, and it looks like Germany will take first. Mattias Ginter up for Germany.
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
AFTER EXTRA TIME: Brazil 1-1 Germany In many ways, Brazil have quelled away the scars of two years ago, where their senior side was so spineless in that World Cup semi-final. This has been a performance and display of heart, courage and endeavour. But Germany stood tall to the task as well, and even though they didn't assert themselves with the same attacking fluency as their opponents, their defence has carried them to penalties, which any German side would fancy their chances. Still, it's Brazil at home. AFTER EXTRA TIME: Brazil 1-1 Germany
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'120: No added time, and penalties is what will decide this Olympic Final between Brazil and Germany, who finish at fulltime at 1-1. Brazil laid siege on the German penalty area, but the peerless discipline of their backline told, and we now enter the Russian Roulette of penalty kicks. AFTER EXTRA TIME: Brazil 1-1 Germany