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Sunday, August 12, 2012

Olympics: Mexico stun Brazil to win first soccer gold (video)

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http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_sports/view/1219570/1/.html

Mexico stunned Brazil to win their first gold in the Olympic men's football tournament as Oribe Peralta's double clinched a shock 2-1 victory over the five-time world champions on Saturday.

Peralta struck after just 30 seconds and the Mexican striker sealed one of the all-time great Olympic upsets when he scored again late in the second half.

Hulk got one back in stoppage-time but Mexico, playing in their first Olympic final, were deserved winners as Brazil once again failed to end their long wait for a first football gold.


Brazil vs Mexico 1-2 All Goals & Highlights by kofiswag

While Brazil have graced the World Cup with some of the best players and most dazzling performances ever seen on football's grandest stage, the Selecao have never managed to replicate those golden moments at the Games and this was another miserable chapter in their Olympic history.

Brazil, bronze medallists in Beijing in 2008, lost in the Olympic final in 1984 and 1988 and their failure to win gold has rankled with such a proud football nation for decades.

But the Mexicans had won three of their past five matches against Brazil, including a 2-0 friendly victory in June, and there was no sign of an inferiority complex as Luis Fernando Tena's side made an astonishing start.

Just 30 seconds had been played when Manchester United right-back Rafael da Silva dwelt on the ball and then poked a hesitant pass towards Sandro, who was caught flat-footed as Javier Aquino stole possession.

Peralta latched onto Aquino's pass and the Santos Laguna striker advanced unchecked before slipping a clever low shot past Brazil goalkeeper Gabriel from just outside the penalty area.

Brazil seemed shell-shocked by such a disastrous opening. It took 21 minutes for Brazil's first shot on target and Menezes was growing increasingly frustrated on the touchline.

Brazil's defensive frailties were exposed again in the 75th minute.

When a free-kick was curled over from the right, Peralta was granted the freedom of the penalty area to power home a header that left Brazil exchanging angry recriminations.

Hulk gave them hope of a dramatic late fight-back when he burst through to drive a low shot under Corona in the first minute of stoppage-time but Mexico held on.

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