Sought-after starlet Gabriel Barbosa struck twice as Brazil's footballers finally got their Olympic campaign rolling with a 4-0 demolition of Denmark on Wednesday, while their arch-rivals Argentina crashed out
Brazil's Gabriel Barbosa (left) celebrates a goal with Neymar against Denmark in Salvador on Wednesday. Pic/Getty Images
Rio de Janeiro: Sought-after starlet Gabriel Barbosa struck twice as Brazil's footballers finally got their Olympic campaign rolling with a 4-0 demolition of Denmark on Wednesday, while their arch-rivals Argentina crashed out.
Brazil's Gabriel Barbosa (left) celebrates a goal with Neymar against Denmark in Salvador on Wednesday. Pic/Getty Images
Barcelona star Neymar is still yet to hit the net, but he played the role of facilitator as Gabriel Jesus and Luan were also on target to end a run of over 200 minutes without a goal after stalemates with Iraq and South Africa raised fears of an embarrassing early exit.
Splendid win
Brazil's much-needed victory sealed top spot in Group A to set up a quarter-final meeting with Colombia on Saturday. "We showed a lot of patience, that was important and the fantasy arrived," said Barbosa, a top target for a host of European clubs including Premier League champions Leicester City.
"It was a beautiful win. The first two games we didn't play badly, but the goals didn't come and sometimes the fans focus solely on the result." Crisis-hit Argentina didn't survive a sluggish start as they were dumped out by Honduras, whilst 2012 gold medallists Mexico were also sent packing.
Striker Nils Petersen scored five times as Germany smashed Pacific islanders Fiji 10-0 to seal their place in the last eight behind South Korea, who beat Mexico 1-0 thanks to Kwon Chang-Hoon's stunning strike in Brasilia.
Colombia moved into the knockout stages by beating Nigeria 2-0 with Teo Gutierrez and Dorlan Pabon on target. The Africans had already done enough to top Group B, rendering Japan's 1-0 win over Sweden meaningless.
Denmark progressed despite defeat in Salvador as Iraq and South Africa played out a 1-1 draw in the other Group A match. Portugal secured top spot in Group D with a 1-1 draw against Algeria to set up a last eight meeting with Germany on Saturday.
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