Olympic Soccer 2016: Brazil vs. Germany Live Stream, Odds and Prediction
The Brazil football team will be roared on by a raucous home crowd on Saturday evening when they take to the field at the Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, knowing a win over Germany would be enough to clinch Olympic gold.
The host nation started the football tournament poorly, failing to net in their opening two matches. However, they’ve motored through the gears and head into the final having thumped Honduras 6-0. Germany, meanwhile, did a professional job against Nigeria in the last four, winning 2-0.
For a nation that’s synonymous with the beautiful game, a gold medal here would be the highlight of the summer's sporting showpiece.
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Here are the viewing details for the contest, as well as a look at how the bookmakers are seeing the final and what to expect from an evening to remember in Rio de Janeiro.
| Brazil (21-20) | Germany (5-2) | Draw (5-2) |
| Brazil (1-2) | Germany (6-4) | |
| Neymar (3-1) | Nils Petersen (6-1) | Julian Brandt (8-1) |
| Gabriel Jesus (11-2) | Davie Selke (15-2) | Luan Viera (8-1) |
| Gabriel Barbosa (6-1) | Serge Gnabry (15-2) | Max Meyer (9-1) |
Full listings available via Oddschecker. Figures accurate as of 10:30 a.m. (BST) on Aug. 20.
Date: Saturday, August 21
Time: 5:30 p.m. (Local), 4:30 p.m. (ET), 9:30 p.m. (BST)
Live Stream: NBC Sports App (U.S.), BBC iPlayer (UK)
Redemption on the Agenda for Brazil
Brazil’s football team have a brilliant chance to banish a couple of ghosts that have haunted them over the last four years.
At the Games in London in 2012, they lost out to Mexico in the final, despite possessing a star-studded side containing the likes of Oscar and Neymar. Additionally, the Selecao have a score to settle with Germany; these two last met in a major tournament at the World Cup on Brazilian soil in 2014, with the visitors notching a memorable 7-1 win in Belo Horizonte.
As Andrew Downie of Reuters noted during Brazil’s comprehensive semi-final triumph, the natives are keen for their team to avenge that defeat to the world champions:
Brazil have to be favourites to do exactly that after they put on a show in the final four. Neymar netted the fastest goal in Olympic history, and from that point on, the Selecao were in cruise control, showing their samba flair, attacking patterns and, crucially, a defensive cohesion.
The attacking options on Brazil’s teamsheet will be the biggest cause for concern to Germany. Neymar is a world-class operator at any level, and he has some bright young talent in support. Indeed, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Barbosa and Luan have all been in fine form at the competition.
It’s the former of that aforementioned trio, who has recently agreed to join Manchester City, that’s caught the eye in particular. The Daily Mirror’s Jack Lang has been impressed with Luan as well:
Germany will be difficult opponents. They turned in a very confident display against Nigeria, scoring early, weathering a storm and then pinching another on the counter-attack late on.
They’re also in possession of some youngsters seeking to make their mark on the biggest stage. Lukas Klostermann has been a threat from full-back, while at the side’s creative hub, Schalke’s Max Meyer has been pulling the strings to great effect. It’s Arsenal’s Serge Gnabry who can be the difference maker on Saturday, though.
The winger has posed major problems for defenders at these Games, able to dart inside or outside and link up play in the attacking third. His performances seem to have impressed Gunners boss Arsene Wenger, too, per Squawka News:
It’s a final Brazil should triumph in. The diversity they have up top will cause Germany a lot of issues, with Neymar capable of altering the course of a match in an instant. They’ll have to work harder for their space than was the case against Honduras, although Germany will surely seek to come forward, freeing up potential avenues of attack.
The only major hurdle for these Brazil players could be the expectation on them, and with that in mind, expect the visitors to try to cultivate frustration in the crowd. Even so, Brazil's superior attacking talent will be enough for them to clinch gold.
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