Brazil survive Egypt fightback

CARDIFF (AFP) –

Brazil’s striker Neymar (L) scores the third goal during the London 2012 Olympic Games men’s football match between Brazil and Egypt at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. Star-studded Brazil survived a second-half fightback by Egypt to win their men’s Olympic football opener 3-2 in Cardiff on Thursday.

Star-studded Brazil survived a second-half fightback by Egypt to win their men’s Olympic football opener 3-2 in Cardiff on Thursday.

Goals from Manchester United‘s Rafael Da Silva, Leandro Damiao and sought-after Santos forward Neymar put Brazil 3-0 up and cruising at the break as an easy win beckoned.

But Egypt captain Mohamed Aboutrika and second-half substitute Mohamed Salah’s strikes ensured a tense finish for the five-time world champions, who are seeking their first Olympic title.

The influential Neymar set up Brazil’s opener on 16 minutes with a defence-splitting ball to Rafael, who squeezed his shot home from inside the box.

Brazil’s striker Neymar (R) celebrates scoring the third goal with striker Hulk during the London 2012 Olympic Games men’s football match between Brazil and Egypt at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. Star-studded Brazil survived a second-half fightback by Egypt to win their men’s Olympic football opener 3-2 in Cardiff on Thursday.

Damiao was on target on 26 minutes when Neymar, punishing defensive weakness on a long ball forwards, cut back for the Internacional forward to hammer his shot home from near the penalty spot.

And Neymar started and finished a move on the half-hour when he dribbled across the defence, picked out Hulk on the left and then powered a close-range header through the arms of Egypt ‘keeper Ahmed Elshenawi.

A samba atmosphere in the Millennium Stadium faded when Aboutrika pulled one back from a goalmouth scramble, before Salah shot home with 14 minutes to go. But the Egyptians were unable to find the equaliser.