Brazil: Ranking the Selecao's 9 Goals in the Olympic Group Stage

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Have style, will score.

Brazil cruised through the group stage of the Olympic men's football tournament in style, winning all three games while scoring nine brilliant goals.

No other team could boast a 100 percent record in the group stage. Then again, no other team could match Brazil for the number or quality of goals, either.

So how do Brazil's nine group-stage goals stack up? Let's find out.

Click through my list, then leave your own rankings in the comments section.

9. Sandro vs. New Zealand

Sandro's second-half goal rounded out Brazil's 3-0 pasting of New Zealand on the final day of group play.

The strike was about as simple as one could hope for at this level.

Marcelo whipped in an in-swinging free kick, and Sandro pounced at the far post, unmarked, and tapped it in.

8. Rafael vs. Egypt

Rafael got forward from his position at right-back, accepted a pass in the box and finished low past the keeper. Routine stuff for the Brazilians.

Rafael's goal opened Brazil's account in their first match of the tournament. It started a first-half offensive explosion that ended with Brazil leading 3-0.

Egypt came back with two goals in the second half, but Brazil held on.

7. Pato vs. Belarus

Pato's headed goal against Belarus was hard to find, and it's also hard to see in this pitch-level video.

But Pato is clearly visible near the back of Belarus' defense, rising to head home at the far post.

Hard to see or not, this was a fine header.

6. Leandro Damiao vs. Egypt

Photo: Luca Bruno/AP

The only video I could find is here. It won't embed, so you'll have to click the link and fast forward to the 0:10 mark.

Leandro Damiao's goal against Egypt wasn't really about Leandro Damiao at all. It had everything to do with Oscar's hustle while tracking down a seemingly harmless long pass.

It's nice to see that kind of hustle rewarded, and for Chelsea fans, it's nice to see Oscar playing so well.

5. Neymar vs. Egypt

Before Neymar scored this goal against Egypt, he also started the scoring sequence with a pass out to the wing.

Then he stuck with the play, found the perfect position and dispatched an expert header into the net.

In fairness, though, Egypt's marking was awful.

4. Danilo vs. New Zealand

The one-two pass can be a devastating offensive weapon.

Danilo (one) and Leandro Damiao (two) demonstrated the point with this goal against New Zealand.

Extra points for the random dude celebrating gleefully in the middle of the video.

3. Leandro Damiao vs. New Zealand

Once again, Leandro Damiao didn't have much to do with this goal against New Zealand.

This goal had everything to do with Sandro's exquisite no-look pass and Alex Sandro's excellent cross.

The combined genius created a simple tap-in opportunity for Leandro.

2. Oscar vs. New Zealand

Here's another exquisite no-look pass.

This time it's Neymar, who finds Oscar with a glorious back-heel.

Oscar obliges with a suitably strong finish.

1. Neymar vs. Belarus

Brazil's best goal of the group stage came from—who else?—Neymar.

The opponent was Belarus, and the method was a free kick.

Sit back and enjoy.

 

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