5 of the most memorable moments from Olympics football

Jubilant scenes as Mexico defeat favourites Brazil in the final to win the gold medal

The city of Rio di Janiero is in the final round of preparations to host the 31st edition of the Olympics, which would be the biggest sporting event that the planet has ever witnessed. More than 10,000 athletes are expected to participate this time, representing 207 nations.

Football is one the major attractions of Rio 2016 and the beautiful game has always been a part of the sporting extravaganza, except in 1896 and 1932. 16 teams are in the hunt for the gold medal in men’s football and 12 teams in the women’s section. The world champions Germany, European champions Portugal and South American duo of Brazil and Argentina are all part of the competition and their presence obviously adds a lot of glamour to the event.

Over the years, the beautiful game of football has produced some unforgettable moments in the Olympics and here are five of them.

#5 London 2012 – Another Loss For Brazil In The Final

When the Brazilian and Mexican teams walked out onto the pitch in Wembley, the entire nation of Brazil would have thought that this is the day on which their long wait for Olympic gold in football would come to an end. But it was not to be as Mexico defeated a lacklustre Brazilan team 2-1 and the Olympic gold medal would continue to elude Brazil. Peralta scored twice for Mexico before Hulk pulled one back, but to no avail. 

The 5-time world champions have finished as runners-up earlier in Los Angeles 1984 and Seoul 1988 when France and the Soviet Union defeated them respectively on those occasions.

Barcelona superstar Neymar would be hoping to succeed in doing what the likes of Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos, Romario, and Dunga have failed to do. The hosts are one of the hot favourites to win the gold medal.