Brazil can ease World Cup heartache and beat Germany to Gold

For many Brazilians, it will take a long time to forget, and for some, they may never move on from the 7-1 humiliation dished out two years ago by Germany on home soil. But this weekend Brazil can try to right some of those wrongs by beating their World Cup destroyers in the Men’s Olympic football gold medal match.

Two summers ago Germany dished out arguably the biggest public bashing, on the biggest stage, that sport has ever seen.

It was akin to a school bully giving a kid a wedgie in the Super Bowl half-time show.

David Luiz’s tears after that World Cup semi-final echoed those of a nation, but now Brazil have a chance to redeem themselves.

Amazingly A Selecao have never bagged the gold medal in Olympic football, claiming bronze twice before finishing with a silver four years ago.

But after opening with two 0-0 draws versus South Africa and Iraq, many assumed that the host nation had once again succumbed to stage fright.

With Neymar as captain however, alongside stunning talents Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Barbosa, Brazil, eventually – naturally – came good.

A 4-0 drubbing of Denmark sent them through the group stages with vital momentum which was used to ease past Colombia in the last eight.

Honduras were then dispatched 6-0 in the semi-finals and a date with their 2014 nemesis Germany was assured after Die Mannschaft saw off Nigeria.

Undoubtedly the two best sides have made the final, but both nations have reason to be concerned.

For the Germans, they too will be wary of their own slow start, which saw them need late goals to salvage draws against Mexico and South Korea.

They conceded five times in those opening two fixtures, and Brazil’s devastating attacking trio could take great glee if Horst Hrubesch’s side aren’t switched on from the off.

And for the hosts, their concern is pressure.

Two years ago it crushed them in the biggest possible way, and earlier on in this tournament we wondered if it had happened again.

Brazil have improved with each game, but now, on the biggest stage, can they handle the expectation?

There’s much more than just a first Olympic gold medal at stake here for Neymar and co.

It’s a chance to avenge, in part at least, the darkest day in their history.

Will they be successful?

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