Neymar had started Brazil's march towards Olympic gold in the Maracana, and the Barcelona man was also there to finally end their quest. The inspirational forward led his young team-mates by example to add the final penalty to his early free-kick and finally break Germany's brave resistance, as the Selecao prevailed in scenes of unrestrained joy in Rio de Janeiro.
It was never an easy ride for the Selecao, under overwhelming pressure to win the last gong missing from the nation's bulging trophy cabinet. Brazil had finished three times as silver medallists at the Olympic Games, but never managed to overcome that final hurdle and take the top place on the podium.