Site last updated: Saturday, May 16, 2026

Log In

Reset Password
MENU
Butler County's great daily newspaper

Brazil men's soccer joins gold medal game

RIO DE JANEIRO — Maybe Neymar and his teammates can make the Olympics a success for Brazil after all.

Brazil’s celebrated men’s soccer team rolled to a 6-0 win over Honduras in the semifinals Wednesday to earn a spot in the gold medal match.

In other action across the Rio Games, Americans Kerri Walsh Jennings and April Ross won bronze in beach volleyball and the Jamaicans had a big night at the track with Elaine Thompson winning the women’s 200 meters and Usain Bolt cruising to a win in the semifinals of the men’s 200.

Brazil started the day 16th in the medal standings, with only three golds in the first 11 days. Two of the country’s best chances remaining to reach the top of the podium competed on Wednesday. The men’s soccer team survived, but Agatha and Barbara lost in the beach volleyball gold medal match to Germany.

Empty seats have been prevalent across Rio, but not at the Maracana Stadium, where they packed in to watch Neymar and Co. They didn’t have to wait long, with Neymar scoring 15 seconds into the game. It was the fastest goal in men’s Olympic history, and Brazil led 3-0 going into halftime.

Brazil will face Germany, which beat Nigeria 2-0 in the other semifinal match. Germany’s senior team trounced Brazil 7-1 in the semifinals of the World Cup in Rio two years ago.

“Hey Germany, just wait, your turn is coming up!” a fired-up fan base chanted.

Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn became the first 18-hole leader in the history of women’s golf in the Olympics. Jutanugarn shot 6-under 65 for a one-shot lead over seven-time major champion Inbee Park and Seiyoung Kim, both of South Korea. This is the first time for women’s golf in the Olympics since the Paris Games in 1900, and back then it was only a nine-hole competition.

Agatha and Barbara, the defending world champions, beat Americans Kerri Walsh Jennings and April Ross in the semifinals on Tuesday night to reach the finals. But Laura Ludwig and Kira Walkenhorst dispatched them 21-18, 21-14, leaving Neymar as Brazil’s only hope.

IOC member Patrick Hickey of Ireland stepped aside from his Olympic positions after being arrested in a ticket scalping investigation. Ireland’s national Olympic committee said Hickey is stepping down “until the matter is fully resolved.”

More in Professional

Subscribe to our Daily Newsletter

* indicates required
TODAY'S PHOTOS