Mexico upsets Brazil to win first Olympic soccer gold

Associated Press

WEMBLEY, England — Mexico is celebrating its first Olympic gold medal in men’s soccer, and Brazil is wondering if it will ever be able to add the title to its long list of triumphs.

Oribe Peralta scored only 29 seconds into the Olympic final at Wembley Stadium and added another goal in the second half to help Mexico upset Brazil 2-1 Saturday.

Peralta took advantage of a mistake by the Brazilian defense in one of the game’s first plays and sent a low right-footed shot inside the near post. It was fastest Olympic goal since FIFA began keeping records of the competition in 1976.

The striker added the second with a firm header off a free kick in the 75th. Hulk scored for Brazil in injury time, but Oscar missed a header in the final seconds to waste the last chance for a comeback in front of 86,162 fans.

Brazil was also trying to win its first Olympic gold, which is the only significant trophy the five-time World Cup champions haven’t won in soccer. The Brazilians established the London Games as the team’s priority this year and arrived as the big favorite after bringing most of its top players for the competition. Many will also be on the team that will try to give Brazil the title at the 2014 World Cup at home.

As Mexican players jumped up and down at midfield in celebration, the Brazilians dropped to the ground in despair. Neymar, touted as the future of Brazilian soccer, was one of them, sitting stoned-faced. Real Madrid left back Marcelo dropped his head and cried as his teammates came to console him.

“Yet again we came close but didn’t quite get it,” Brazil coach Mano Menezes said.

“We’re very sorry yet again not to get gold,” Menezes said. “Defeat is part of the maturing process. This group will continue on this path and get ready for 2014.”

Peralta gave Mexico the early lead after Manchester United right back Rafael tried to make a backward pass. Mexico midfielder Javier Aquino intercepted the ball, sending it forward to Peralta just outside the area. With no defenders near him, he calmly sent his shot into the left corner.

FIFA said Peralta’s goal was the fastest since the 1976 Montreal Olympics, when football’s governing body began keeping records of the competition. The fastest goal in a senior competition was scored by Turkey’s Hakan Sukur 11 seconds into a match at the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan.

FIFA said the fastest goal in all competitions came from Brazil’s Fabinho, who scored in nine seconds in the 2007 Under-17 World Cup in South Korea.

Peralta’s second goal came off a firm header from near the penalty spot after a free kick cross by Marco Fabian.

“I don’t know if this was the best match of my career, but what I do know is that this is the most important because I am here today with a gold medal,” Peralta said. “I dreamed about this moment. It is one of those things you don’t get to live every day.”

The Mexicans also had a goal by Peralta disallowed for offside in the 69th, and Fabian missed the open net with his header off a corner in the 72nd.

Brazil appeared to be shaken by the early goal and struggled to create scoring opportunities. Neymar started playing better in the second half and helped Brazil push forward, but struggled to get his efforts on target.

Hulk scored the team’s only goal with a low shot from inside the area in the first minute of injury time.

Brazil knew that anything but the gold was going to be considered a huge failure. The expectations back home were high and the Olympics were seen as an important test because the majority of the players in London will also likely be in the team trying to lead Brazil to the 2014 World Cup title at home.

It was the team’s first Olympic final in men’s football since the 1988 Seoul Games, when youngsters Romario and Bebeto ended with the silver. Brazil also lost the final four years earlier at the Los Angeles Games.

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