Even if you’re not a soccer fan, you probably remember Germany trouncing Brazil in the semifinals of the 2014 World Cup, 7-1. It was one of the most unforgettable matches in soccer history, as the Brazilians were beaten down on their home soil in a way that you never expect to see in the semifinals of the World Cup.
There were plenty of reasons why Brazil lost, including the fact that its star forward, Neymar, was out of the match due to an injury. On Saturday, the two sides met again in the gold medal match at the Rio Olympics. They were tied 1-1 after 120 minutes, and Brazil managed to take Germany down on penalty kicks, 5-4. While Brazil supporters will always have a sour taste in their mouths after the way the 2014 World Cup ended, this was as close to redemption as the team could achieve for now.
With the win, Brazil took home its first-ever Olympic gold medal. Plenty of people on the internet was excited, because Brazil – a place which came under so much scrutiny during the lead-up to the 2016 Games – took the first step towards exercising a pretty vicious demon.
I don't even wanna imagine the pressure Brazil was under after WC14. Can't bare to think what it'd be like had they lost.
— Andrew Hammond (@ahammALDC) August 20, 2016
https://twitter.com/paulmobuckets/status/767137723572326401
I am happy for Brazil, which is full of wonderful people
— Bruce Arthur (@bruce_arthur) August 20, 2016
Brazil wins Olympic GOLD! Neymar converts the winning penalty kick. Storybook stuff. That win means so much to Brazil. Country needed that
— Ives Galarcep (@SoccerByIves) August 20, 2016
Oh man, everyone is crying. This is too much.
— Also Also Jacob 🎙🎲🏀 (@PlaidFalcon) August 20, 2016
'The humiliated ones are now exalted' #BRAvGER exit interview on Globo. Post game poetry.
— Lulu NYT (@lourdesgnavarro) August 20, 2016
https://twitter.com/TACOSONTHELOW/status/767139204887216128
Joy. Emotion. Brazil. #Gold
Shades of Pelé and Roberto Rivelino, after the 1970 World Cup final. pic.twitter.com/fntkcNC326
— The Antique Football (@AntiqueFootball) August 20, 2016
I mean… You can't write it any better for Brazil in this situation. Neymar.
— Sydney Leroux (@sydneyleroux) August 20, 2016
Someone even got a video of the final PK from the stands, and the second it hit the back of the net, everyone in the stadium lost their minds.
Man this football final was unreal #Rio2016 #Neymar #Brazil WIN …!!! Amazing to be here pic.twitter.com/yQdNd7sIZd
— Giedo van der Garde (@GvanderGarde) August 20, 2016
The man in that video burying the final shot was Neymar. He was held until the fifth PK, and in a storybook ending, Brazil’s captain stepped up and buried his opportunity.
Neymar's face the second it sunk in. Amazing. pic.twitter.com/2Dy6k29rJ1
— SB Nation Soccer (@SBNationSoccer) August 20, 2016
Neymar completely motionless for two minutes after wscoring the gold medal-winning penalty
— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) August 20, 2016
A Neymar PK to give Brazil a gold medal in Brazil is pretty fantastic.
— Gary Parrish (@GaryParrishCBS) August 20, 2016
https://twitter.com/99darius/status/767140100505473024
Some people weren’t as happy as others. Despite this win, Brazil still lost 7-1 in a World Cup semifinal. Additionally, the Olympics has rules regarding which players can go, so each country can only bring along a maximum of three players who are older than 23. It all added up to a number of folks trying to rain on Brazil’s parade.
https://twitter.com/corder_98/status/767140980587958272
Oh & believe me, Brazil can win all the trophies in the world but the wounds from that 7-1 beating in 2014 will never heal. Never.
— Ali (@NaboAli23) August 20, 2016
https://twitter.com/Jack_MKD/status/767137228787154944
Still 7-1 on the biggest stage. Never forget. 😂😂😂 #BRAGER
— Samuel Essien (@SamEss) August 20, 2016
The ghosts have been exorcised, the Games saved, a nation energised. Brazil have just beaten an under-23 team on pens
— Barney Ronay (@barneyronay) August 20, 2016
Despite this, it’s easy to see how much this win meant for the Brazilians. It was a great match, and even if it wasn’t in a tournament that’s as big as the World Cup, it still meant the world to the people of Brazil. In the end, that’s all that matters.
