Olympic Soccer 2016: Men's Gold-Medal Game Schedule After Semi-Final Results
Brazil cruised to a 6-0 victory in the semi-final of the men's football tournament at the 2016 Rio Games, soundly thrashing Honduras at the Maracana Stadium on Wednesday.
The Selecao reversed the disappointment of the women's football team's defeat to Sweden in the last four, as they derailed their opponents from the opening minute.
First-half goals from Neymar and a brace from new Manchester City signing Gabriel Jesus gave Brazil a solid lead. A fourth from defensive talent Marquinhos killed the game in the second half as Rio de Janeiro celebrated the expected progression to the gold-medal match on Saturday.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Luan added a fifth after beautiful team craft from his team-mates, leaving him a tap-in. Neymar grabbed the sixth from the penalty spot in stoppage time at the end of the tie.
Brazil will now face Germany who beat Nigeria in the second semi-final at the Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo, prevailing 2-0.
Goals from Lukas Klostermann and a last-minute strike by Nils Petersen sealed the victory for the world champions.
Here are the confirmed semi-final results:
| Brazil | 6-0 | Honduras |
| Nigeria | 0-2 | Germany |
Here is a look at the latest medals table from Rio de Janeiro:
Brazil Show Class As They Fly Into Gold-Medal Match
It was one of Brazil's easiest days at the office as they dispatched Honduras with ruthless aggression at the Maracana.
Neymar gave his side the lead in the opening minute, as the Barcelona icon barged through the centre, burying his effort to emphatic applause.
The Brazilians played their possession game, as their opponents laboured in the Rio heat. As expected, Neymar was a marked man, as the Honduras defence paid specific attention to his movement, but the threat came from across the park, as Gabriel Jesus introduced himself to fans of the Premier League.
The 19-year-old followed his captain's example and scored twice, as he powered Brazil to the brink of victory.
BBC Sport's Simon Stone lauded the teenager before he arrives in England after his current loan:
Wallace was supreme in midfield, as Brazil saw out the first half with ease, and the look on the Honduras team's faces proved they were beaten as they trudged off.
The hosts continued to dominate in the second half, but Honduras appeared dangerous on the counter, testing the goalkeeper Weverton as the home side's defence relaxed.
The game was over as a spectacle as Marquinhos added his name to the scoresheet, but the goalscoring wasn't over; Luan finished a glorious passing move made in Brazil—reflecting the country's football philosophy of flair and touch.
A cheap foul on Neymar led to a penalty in the closing seconds of the game, and the captain picked himself up to compete his brace as the fans went wild.
Sports Illustrated's Grant Wahl proclaimed the Selecao need to stick with their current attire as they chase gold-medal success on Saturday:
It was a resounding victory for the Brazilians as they attempt to heal the open wounds from the failures at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
The country celebrated as Neymar and Co. smashed Honduras with conviction, but question marks remain regarding how well they will respond to pressure against a better side.
The main difference for the hosts, compared to the World Cup, is that Neymar is fit and firing.
The Barca star is the key to success for his nation, and they need him to lead the troops into battle as they fight for their first-ever Olympic football gold success.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
