Olympic Football: Neymar Shows His Class as Brazil Overpower Belarus
By
(Contributor) on July 29, 2012
The Samba boys were in town as they took on Belarus in Manchester.
Brazil boasts much talked about players including Thiago Silva, who has just signed for PSG, Oscar, who has just joined Roberto Di Matteo's Chelsea and up-and-coming star Neymar.
For the opening two minutes Belarus didn't even have a touch of the ball, as some swift passing broke open the Belarusian defence, but Alexandre Pato's shot was straight at Aleksandr Gutor.
But it was Belarus who took the lead with a move even the Brazilians would be proud of. Some swift passing released Renan Bressan, whose header beat the Brazilian keeper Neto.
Neymar then took control of the game, and it was his cross that found Pato in the box and the AC Milan did what he does best as his header found the back of the net to tie the game.
Bressan again had a shot just wide but this was one of a few shots Belarus had.
The second half began as the first ended, with Brazil finding it difficult to break the Belarus defence.
It wasn't until the 63rd minute that Brazil started to get back into threatening the goal. Hulk drilled the ball into the wall after being in a decent position for the free kick.
It was a second free kick in quick succession that gave Brazil the lead, and the much talked about Neymar stepped up for a moment of magic. His free kick planted into the corner of the net, with Gutor having no chance in the Belarusian goal.
Neymar was a fan favourite throughout the game and is being widely tipped with a move to Barcelona over the summer; after today's performance he would easily fit into their star-studded team.
The next goal wasn't until in stoppage time, as Chelsea's £20 million signing Oscar scored after finishing off Neymar's fantastic move. Neymar ran through three defenders before back footing the ball to Oscar; he only had to pick his spot, which he did with precision into the top corner.
It was a commanding display from Brazil and one very easy on the eyes; with a performance like today they look poised to win their first goal medal at the Olympics in football.
Man of the Match: Neymar (Brazil)
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