Brazil finally had their chance to exact sweet revenge on Germany after winning their first football gold on penalty kicks – clinched by none other than Neymar.
Neymar Strikes Gold for Brazil!!! Host Country gets what's Most Important for a Soccer Religious Culture!!
— Samuel L. Jackson (@SamuelLJackson) August 20, 2016
Two years ago, Brazilians suffered a humiliating defeat as World Cup hosts after losing 1-7 against their German counterparts.
As the teams met again in the final at Rio’s Maracana Stadium, Neymar scored in the 27th minute as Brazil took a 1-0 lead in the battle for gold.
Then Max Meyer scored the equaliser for Germany in the 59th minute and with both sides failing to score after that, the match went to a penalty shoot-out.
With Nils Petersen missing the fifth German penalty, it was all down to Neymar to score – and he did.
It was a pretty emotional moment:
Neymar makes history!Brazil beat Germany on penalties in men's soccer final I'm Reading the headlines&crying ð§ð·â½ï¸ðð¼ðº pic.twitter.com/d2YQfe2Qnw
— CLAUDIA CIUFFO (@claudiaciuffo) August 20, 2016
Brazil just won their first Olympic Gold for men's football…. I almost started crying when @neymarjr scored…. Estou muito feliz ðððð§ð·ð§ð·
— Danell Johan Leyva (@DanellJLeyva) August 20, 2016
I'm crying literally everyone at the party I'm at started screaming and hugging each other because Brazil won the match
— maria å» (@bldnfctns) August 20, 2016
Meanwhile, Neymar celebrated his first goal in the Olympic final with a homage to Bolt.
And of course, the World’s Fastest Man was in the stands to witness Brazil’s victory:
Gif: Neymar celebrating his goal earlier with the Usain Bolt celebration. Bolt is cheering from the stands. pic.twitter.com/LfhM4UX5Ot
— Grup 14 (@G14_en) August 20, 2016
After scoring the opening goal, Neymar immediately struck Bolt’s famous celebratory pose:
Neymar dedicates his goal to Usain Bolt, who is at Maracanã Stadium watching the final. ððªð» pic.twitter.com/hj4xeJYV6U
— Neymar Stuff (@NeymarStuff) August 20, 2016
HT #BRA 1:0 #GER. Neymar's moment of brilliance & his Lightning Bolt celebration in front of Usain Bolt nearly lifted the stadium into orbit
— Grant Wahl (@GrantWahl) August 20, 2016
⨠neymar as usain bolt appreciation tweet ⨠#Futebol pic.twitter.com/KCzmtEkSz4
— cle (@hurricaneinmars) August 20, 2016
Bolt, a big football fan who has often said heâd love to play for Manchester United, is also an admirer of the Brazilian star.
Neymar, by the way, is pretty fast, too. He scored in 15 seconds into Brazilâs semi-final match against Honduras for the fastest goal in Olympic history.
Feeling emotional!!! ⤠BRAZIL!!!! ⽠#Neymar #Brazil #Bra #Rio2016 https://t.co/vISBcdHFoJ
— Helen (@helen_andriana) August 20, 2016
Congratulations Brazil!