Brazil's first Olympic gold, 10 years on

In partnership with

CBF

·20 August 2026

Brazil's first Olympic gold, 10 years on

10 years since the Brazilian National Team won its first Olympic gold Credits: Stuart Franklin - FIFA_FIFA via Getty Images

Ten years ago, the Brazilian National Team climbed to the top step of an Olympic podium for the first time. On August 20, 2016, the Seleção faced the expectations of an entire country for the first-ever gold medal in the history of Brazilian football. At the Maracanã, more than 63,000 anxious hearts were in attendance for the final against Germany.

OneFootball Videos

In a balanced contest, Neymar put Brazil ahead with a brilliant free kick in the 26th minute of the first half, but Meyer equalized for the Germans in the 15th minute of the second half. With the score at 1-1, the match went to extra time. The deadlock remained, and the decision went to penalties.

Up to the fourth kick, both teams had been perfect. Renato Augusto, Marquinhos, Rafinha and Luan scored for Brazil, while Ginter, Gnabry, Brandt and Sule scored for Germany. One of the tournament’s top scorers, Petersen had his shot saved by Weverton, giving Neymar the chance to convert the fifth penalty and secure the gold.

Walace, Gabriel Jesus, Neymar, Gabriel Barbosa and Rafael Alcântara celebrate winning the gold medal at the Rio 2016 Olympic GamesCredits: Lucas Figueiredo/CBF

Road to gold

Before reaching the final, Brazil advanced to the knockout stage as the leader of Group A. In the first two matches, both at the National Stadium in Brasília, the results were not what was expected: scoreless draws against South Africa and Iraq.

In the third round, the Seleção went to Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador to face Denmark and needed a win to qualify in first place. Gabriel Barbosa (2), Gabriel Jesus and Luan scored in the 4-0 rout.

Weverton saved Germany’s fifth penalty in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games final, paving the way for Neymar to convert his kick and guarantee the gold medal for the Brazilian National TeamCredits: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

With the group stage behind them, the focus shifted to the quarterfinals. The opponent? Colombia, runners-up in Group B after 2-2 draws with Sweden and Japan and a 2-0 win over Nigeria. At Arena Corinthians in São Paulo, Brazil beat the Colombians 2-0, with goals from Neymar and Luan.

With at least a bronze medal match guaranteed, the team coached by Rogério Micale then turned its attention to Honduras, who had left Argentina and Algeria behind in the group stage, advanced alongside Portugal, and eliminated South Korea in the quarterfinals with a 1-0 win. In the semifinal clash, Brazil cruised to a 6-0 victory at the Maracanã. Neymar (2), Gabriel Jesus (2), Marquinhos and Luan found the net.

10 years since the Brazilian National Team won its first Olympic goldCredits: Stuart Franklin - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

The 18 medalists

These were the 18 winners of the first gold medal in the history of Brazilian football. Among the champions, special mention should be made of Fernando Prass, who was called up for the Olympics but was ruled out before the start of the group stage due to an elbow injury suffered during the warm-up for the friendly against Japan at Serra Dourada in Goiânia.

Goalkeepers

Weverton - Athletico-PR

Uilson - Atlético Mineiro

Full-backs

William - Internacional

Douglas Santos - Atlético Mineiro

Zeca - Santos

Center-backs

Rodrigo Caio - São Paulo

Luan Garcia - Vasco da Gama

Marquinhos - Paris Saint Germain (FRA)

Midfielders