RIO 2016's KEVIN DARLING AT THE MARACANA
The stadium is silenced by Max Meyer's goal for Germany, but only briefly. The home crowd are once again roaring on the Brazil team and the players have responded. Their confidence does not appear to have been dented by the equaliser and they just went close to restoring their lead when Gabriel Jesus sent an effort inches wide after connecting with a cross to the near post. Attack would appear to be Brazil's best strategy here, because Germany are frequently finding gaps in their defence.
GERMANY MAKES IT 1-1
Unguarded in the box, Germany's Max Meyer first-timed a cross into the back of the net past Brazil goalkeeper Weverton at the 59th minute. The atmosphere for the men's gold medal football final is testy at the Maracana.
GOOD SPORTS
A German couple, students Josina Henke and Luis Kramer, watch the men's football final at Germany House on an enormous television screen set up on the beach in Leblon. "We are a minority and expected more Germans here," she said. "But this is better because we adore watching this game amongst Brazilians."
WAIT FOR THE REFEREE'S WHISTLE...
...then hear this crowd of thousands at the Olympic Boulevard go bonkers for Neymar's goal in the men's gold medal football match.
RIO 2016's KEVIN DARLING AT THE MARACANA
The job is half-done for Brazil as they lead Germany 1-0 at the break, but there has been plenty to suggest this game is far from over. The Germans hit the woodwork three times in the first half and, while Brazil look dangerous whenever their attacking quarter of Neymar, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Barbosa and Luan pour forward, they are less assured at the back.
Brazil might need the crowd's support to push them over the line here, and judging by the raucous atmosphere in the first half the fans are happy to oblige.
(Photo: Getty Images)
BOLT STRIKES AT MARACANA!
Usain Bolt is at the men's football final, wearing sunglasses along with headphones as he talks into his phone. Snapchat, anyone?
After he scored Brazil's opening goal to take a 1-0 lead over Germany, Neymar struck the pose made famous by the Jamaican sprinter. A gold medal tonight would be the sixth for the hosts at Rio 2016, an an Olympic record for Brazil.
RIO 2016's KEVIN DARLING AT THE MARACANA
Brazil 1-0 Germany!
We have lift-off inside the Maracana. Germany's tactic for handling Neymar has been to commit niggly fouls against him as far away from the penalty area as possible, but the strategy has backfired. Brazil's talisman lined up a free-kick 30 metres from goal and fired it into the top corner off the underside of the crossbar.
In the group stages, Marta's name was sung at the Brazil men's team as a means of taunting them following a slow start to the tournament. Now it's Neymar's name that is being sung. Very loudly.
IF THE SHIRT FITS...
This shirt is big enough to fit each one of Brazil's five World Cup titles. And maybe, just maybe, there will be room for Olympic gold, too.
The men's gold medal football final is currently scoreless in the 24th minute.
(Photo: Getty Images/Clive Mason)
RIO 2016's KEVIN DARLING AT THE MARACANA
Anyone who is not convinced by the importance of the Olympic Games football gold medal should take note of the ear-splitting din that greeted the Brazilian national anthem at the Maracana stadium just now. It's loud inside Brazil's greatest football arena, with a hint of nervousness and - dare I suggest it - raw anger.
After what happened at the 2014 World Cup, and following a series of heartbreaks in Olympic Games football, Brazilian fans are clearly desperate to beat Germany this evening. The German anthem, incidentally, was impeccably observed by the home supporters.
USA TRIUMPH ON THE HARDWOOD
Lindsay Whalen and Diana Taurasi led the USA with 17 points apiece in a 101-72 victory over Spain to claim their sixth Olympic gold medal in women's basektball.
RIO 2016's KEVIN DARLING AT THE MARACANA
Brazil coach Rogerio Micale has played down talk of "revenge" ahead of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games gold medal match between Brazil and Germany — the first time the sides have met since the Germans' 7-1 victory on Brazilian turf at the 2014 World Cup.
Micale made the very fair point that none of the players who featured on that fateful night in Belo Horizonte will be in the line-ups today. However, try telling that to the fans who have already filled up the Maracana. The loud boos and whistles that just rang around the stadium when the German players ran onto the pitch to warm up indicates that 2014 is still very much on people's minds here.
With 30 minutes to go until kick-off, the atmosphere is already starting to sizzle.
TUNE IN NOW: USA ON CUSP OF SIXTH OLYMPIC GOLD IN BASKETBALL
The USA women's basketball team is on firm ground to win their sixth Olympic title as they hold a 94-67 lead over Spain with less than three minutes to play in the gold medal match at Carioca 1.
Images
