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28 March 2024

'Gabigol' rescues Brazil from Olympic shame

Gabriel Jesus (left) of Brazil celebrates with teammate Neymar his goal against Denmark during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games men’s first round Group A football match Brazil vs Denmark, at the Arena Fonte Nova Stadium in Salvador, Brazil on August 10, 2016. (AFP)

Published
By AFP

Brazil escaped a humiliating early exit from the Olympics despite another scoreless performance from Neymar as wonder kid Gabriel Barbosa struck twice in a 4-0 win over Denmark on Wednesday, as two-time champions Argentina bowed out of Rio 2016.

Crisis-hit Argentina didn't survive a sluggish start as they were dumped out by Honduras, whilst 2012 gold medallists Mexico were also sent packing.

Freiburg striker Nils Petersen scored five times as world champions Germany smashed Pacific islanders Fiji 10-0 to seal their place in the last eight behind South Korea, who beat Mexico 1-0 thanks to Kwon Chang-hoon's stunning strike in Brasilia.

Colombia moved into the knockout stages by beating Nigeria 2-0 with captain Teo Gutierrez and Dorlan Pabon on target.

The Africans had already done enough to top Group B rendering Japan's 1-0 win over Sweden meaningless.

Denmark progressed despite defeat in Salvador as Iraq and South Africa played out a 1-1 draw in the other Group A match.

Portugal secured top spot in Group D with a 1-1 draw against Algeria in Belo Horizonte to set up a last eight meeting with Germany on Saturday.

South Korea face Honduras and Nigeria take on Denmark in the remaining quarter-finals.

Barbosa

The in demand Barbosa, nicknamed 'Gabigol' for his prolific exploits for Santos, broke Brazil's 200-minute goal drought after goalless draws with Iraq and South Africa to get their quest for a first football gold medal back on track.

Manchester City's new recruit Gabriel Jesus then volleyed home a second before Luan and Barbosa's second rounded off a comforting night for a relieved home nation.

Victory was also enough to guarantee top spot in Group A to set up a quarter-final meeting with Colombia on Saturday.

Denmark also progressed to the last eight where they will face Nigeria as the other game in the group between Iraq and South Africa finished 1-1.

Brazil are now unbeaten in 14 games in Salvador and they received a warmer welcome on and off the pitch in the north-east than for their previous two games in Brasilia with temperatures nearing 30 degrees warming an enthusiastic crowd.

Neymar had gone from Brazil's golden boy to whipping boy in the past week with the national team's women's captain Marta usurping him as the hosts' darling after a series of sensational displays.

However, he shone in a supporting role for Brazil's other attacking starlets to get the goals.

Brazil's Gabriel Barbosa shoots to score his team's fourth goal during a group A match of the men' s Olympic football tournament between Brazil and Denmark in Salvador, Brazil, Wednesday Aug. 10, 2016.(AP)

A sigh of relief was felt across the country when 'Gabigol' bundled home Douglas Santos's low cross with his shin on 26 minutes.

Jesus had admitted to having "sleepless nights" after missing golden chances in both opening games.

However, he made amends with a brilliant volleyed finish at the back post from Luan's cross to dispel any lingering Brazilian doubts.

Neymar was at the heart of the third five minutes after the break when his through ball caught the Denmark defence square and Santos crossed once more for Luan to slot home.

And Barbosa rounded off the scoring 10 minutes from time when his deflected effort left Danish 'keeper Jeppe Hojbjerg helpless.

'Mafia'

Argentina needed to win to secure a place in the quarters due to their inferior goal difference with the Hondurans after both had lost to Portugal and beat Algeria in their opening two group matches.

However, the Central Americans sprung a huge surprise as Antony Lorenzo's penalty 15 minutes from time put them in front in Brasilia and, despite Mauricio Martinez's equaliser deep into stoppage time, Argentina bowed out in embarrassing fashion.

The Albiceleste's chances were severely hampered by chaotic preparation for the Games.

Coach Julio Olarticoechea, who had been coaching the Argentine women's team, was put in charge just weeks before the tournament began after Gerardo Martino resigned citing power squabbles at the Argentine Football Association (AFA) and clubs not releasing players for the Olympics.

Legendary former player Diego Maradona has branded AFA's management a "mafia," and raged against football administrators in Argentina once more on Wednesday.

"Honduras can't beat us. A country for which I have a lot of respect, but they play baseball they don't know anything about football," he told Radio La Red.

Dates, places and times for the Olympic Games women's and men's football quarter-finals:

Women
Friday, August 12

United States v Sweden, Brasilia (1600GMT)
China v Germany, Salvador (1900GMT)
Canada v France, Sao Paulo (2200GMT)
Brazil v Australia, Belo Horizonte (0100GMT)

Men
Saturday, August 13

Portugal v Germany, Brasilia (1600GMT)
Nigeria v Denmark, Salvador (1900GMT)
South Korea v Honduras, Belo Horizonte (2200GMT)
Brazil v Colombia, Sao Paulo (0100GMT)