FC Barcelona duo Neymar Jr and Rafinha Alcantara earned gold medals with Brazil at the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games after defeating Germany on penalties in the final.
In a final full of emotion, the home nation earned their first gold in Olympic football after a 1-1 draw in normal time was decided by a penalty shootout, with Neymar converting the decisive kick.
It was the Barça winger who had given his side the lead in normal with a spectacular free-kick on 26 minutes to send most of the 78,000 supporters inside the Maracana into raptures. Germany were able to respond on the hour mark, as Max Meyer got on the scoresheet to cancel out Neymar’s goal.
Rafinha came on in extra-time to give his nation a push but the match would eventually be decided on penalties.
After four successful takes each, Germany’s Nils Petersen missed, allowing Neymar the chance to wrap up the title for his side and, after a teasing run up, sent the ball into the top corner to earn Olympic gold.
