|★| Olympics 2016 |★| Brazil won the Olympics Gold

Draw aayi

 

Portugal returned to the Olympic Football Tournament after a 12-year absence with a bang, thanks to a 2-0 victory over two-time gold medal winners Argentina at the Olympic Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. Goncalo Paciencia grabbed the opener before substitute Pite’s effort from distance found its way in after an error from Geronimo Rulli in the Argentina goal.

Bruno Fernandes was one of the busier players on the pitch, right from the first whistle. In the opening seconds, the Portuguese No10 had the ball in the Argentinian net, but it was ruled out for offside.

After a rather quiet opening period, the game sprung into action in the opening moments of the second half, when Jonathan Calleri was set free by Jose Luis Gomez. The new West Ham United forward dinked the ball over the onrushing Bruno Varela, but his shot hit the crossbar and spun away.La Albiceleste did then find the net, but Mauricio Martinez was adjudged offside.

Moments later, Portugal would have an effort rippling the net that troubled those in charge of the scoreboard. After good movement down the Portuguese left, the ball was worked inside to Paciencia, who had space and time to compose himself before slamming a low left-footed shot past Geronimo Rulli.

The Argentina ‘keeper was called upon twice more in quick succession, denying Bruno Fernandes and then Salvador Agra with some fine shot-stopping.

Rulli’s match will unfortunately be remembered for allowing the seemingly harmless Pite effort from distance to squirm through his grasp and into the net.

Portugal were cheered on by a large number of their Portuguese-speaking cousins in Rio. They will likely be able to count on their support for Sunday’s game against the day’s other victors Honduras at the Olympic Stadium, with Argentina hoping to recover from this defeat against Algeria later that day.

 

South Africa held Men's Olympic Tournament Rio 2016 hosts Brazil to a scoreless draw in their opening match in Group A at the Estadio Nacional in Brasilia.

Brazil needed about half an hour to start piling the pressure on South Africa. Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune has his defence organised and he even helped his side in transition with South Africa putting together some counter attacks.

In the second minute, South Africa's Menzi Masuku took advantage of a mistake from Zeka in the midfield but he could not capitalise and Brazil goalkeeper Weverton eventually collected the ball.

Brazil's first significant chance of Rio 2016 came in the 16th minute when Gabriel Gabigol Barbosa found space to drop a ball over the head of the last South Africa defender Mulomowandau Matholo, but Gabriel Jesus couldn't quite convert the opportunity.

A Seleção captain Neymar had his first moment to remember in the 28th minute when he collected the ball on the left, cut inside and unleashed a shot that forced Khune to save to his right.

Six minutes later, South Africa struck back with a chance of their own through captain Keagan Dolly, who shot just wide of the goalkeeper's post. The match really kicked into gear as Brazil then created two chances later in the half, one from Felipe Anderson and another from Neymar, but the sides went back to their dressing rooms goalless.

The whole of the nation thought they had opened their account in the 69th minute when Gabriel Jesus hit the post with his shot after a fine sequence of intricate build-up play from the Brazilians. But the Manchester City-bound forward arrived a second too late to convert the chance.

Brazil continued to knock at the door but were unable to find the edge they needed in front of goal and both teams were made to settle for a point.

Brazil's next match will be against Iraq on Sunday 7 August in Brasilia, while South Africa will face Denmark on the same day and in the same venue.

 

Brazil vs South Africa 0-0
Portugal vs Argentina 0-2
Mexico vs Germany 2-2
Sweden vs Columbia 2-2
Fiji vs Korea 0-8