Neymar slots home from the penalty spot © PA Photos
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Neymar shines as Brazil beat Team GB
ESPN staffJulyGreat Britain's first game for 41 years ended in disappointment, as Brazil ran out 2-0 winners at the Riverside.
Stuart Pearce's side found Neymar in scintillating form, as he scored one goal and fashioned the other, as Brazil demonstrated the size of the task facing Team GB at the Olympics.
Team GB fell behind on 12 minutes, paying a heavy price for Tom Cleverley's foul on Oscar. Neymar took charge of the free kick, with his ball into the box catching the defence napping and allowing Sandro to nod home.
The lead was doubled on 35 minutes with Neymar stroking a penalty confidently into the corner after Micah Richards had been left standing by some superb forward play by Hulk who beat his man with skill and pace before drawing the foul in the box.
GB improved after the interval and Brazil keeper Rafael Cabral made an instinctive save to deny Craig Bellamy, although the Welshman would have been thwarted by a linesman's flag.
Jack Butland was introduced in the second half and he showed why he is so highly rated with fine late saves to deny Manchester United target Lucas Moura and Neymar.
Earlier in the day, the Team GB women drew 0-0 with Sweden. Rachel Yankey came within inches of sending GB into their Olympic campaign on the back of a victory as the woodwork came to Sweden's rescue.
The 33-year-old Arsenal striker came off the bench at the break to rattle the post with a 70th-minute shot after being played in by fellow substitute Karen Carney.
Great Britain held sway before the break, but were forced to defend for long periods after with Ife Dieke particularly impressive at the back as the Swedes staged a second-half fightback.
source:http://www.espn.co.uk