Brazil break tension as South Africa crash out

A dramatic final day of group matches at the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament Rio 2016 was dominated by spot-kicks, with seven penalties in the eight games across Brazil.

Four were scored, three squandered, with the tensest of tussles between goalkeeper and penalty-taker playing a key sub-plot in the denouement to Groups A to D.

Hosts Brazil, and specifically Gabriel Barbosa, did not need a penalty in their game against Denmark to end their Olympic drought after over almost three-and-a-half hours of football without a goal.

Gabigol grabbed a goal either side of half time, sandwiching efforts from Gabriel Jesus and Luan as A Seleção defeated Denmark to finish top of Group A.

The Danes joined them in the knockout stages thanks to South Africa and Iraq’s 1-1 draw in Sao Paulo.

Goncalo Paciencia’s penalty against Algeria was the first spot-kick of the day, helping seal Portugal’s spot at the top of Group D.

Argentina and Honduras stepped up to the 12-yard mark three times in their clash, with Antony Lozano converting a crucial penalty which ultimately saw Los Catrachos into the last eight after team-mate Bryan Acosta and La Albiceleste’s Angel Correa had both missed spot-kicks of their own.

Germany demolished Fiji 10-0 to seal their progress to the quarter-finals, Max Meyer seeing his penalty saved by beleaguered Fijian ‘keeper Simione Tamanisau before Nils Petersen converted his own successfully.

Colombian Dorlan Pabon scored a penalty at the home of his former club Sao Paulo to help Los Cafeteros to a surprise 2-0 victory over Nigeria, which saw the South Americans progress to the knockouts, while Japan and Korea Republic both sealed their spot in the last eight without the need of a single spot-kick.

-Report by FIFA/fifa.com

Results

Group D

Algeria 1-1 Portugal

Argentina 1-1 Honduras

Group C

Germany 10-0 Fiji

Korea Republic 1-0 Mexico

Group B

Colombia 2-0 Nigeria

Japan 1-0 Sweden

Group A

Denmark 0-1 Brazil

South Africa 1-1 Iraq