Beijing 2008 - Brazil cruise to football bronze

Eurosport - Sun, 24 Aug 04:34:00 2008

Brazil's men beat Belgium 3-0 for the second time in Shanghai to claim the bronze football medal at the Beijing Olympics.

FOOTBALL 2008 Beijing 2008 Brazil-Belgium Diego Ribas bronze bronce - 0

A goal from Werder Bremen midfielder Diego (pictured) and one at the end of either half from Manchester City striker Jo went some way to easing the disappointment of losing by the same scoreline to Argentina in the semi-final.

Diego claimed just reward for his team's dominance in the opening half hour by bravely diving in to steer club mate Rafinha's cross past Belgium goalkeeper Logan Bailly.

Jo doubled their lead just before half-time when he was on hand to head home from close range when Ramires's shot was saved. The tall striker looked to have been in an offside position but the goal stood.

There was nothing suspicious about the 21-year-old's second, however. In second half injury time, as Belgium pushed forward for a consolation goal, Diego set him free with a well-weighted through ball. Jo showed pace to latch onto the pass and set off for goal, and then strength to hold off the challenge of Thomas Vermaelen before firing a clinical low finish that broke Belgian hearts.

The win is the second time Belgium have been beaten by Brazil at these games, following the far less emphatic 1-0 win in their opening group game.

Brazil captain Ronaldinho was again in sparkling form, and his contribution from start to finish in this match meant that he leaves Beijing having played every single minute of every Brazil match.

The final between Argentina and Nigeria is due to be held on Saturday at 5am BST.

Tony Mabert / Eurosport

Comment 1 - 6 of 6

Sort comments by: Most recent

  1. brazil, you must go further. fighting!!!!!!
    Won or not, got gold or not, the true fair play is the only the true fair play for the true fair players. The truth will be forever as the truth even though someone distorts it for the own deceivable advantage or profit or not.
    DOK-DO ISLAND IS KOREA’S, DOK-DO ISLAND IS BELONGED TO KOREA, DOK-DO ISLAND BELONGS TO KOREA, and nothing to do with Japan as Amazonia is Brazilian’s and nothing to do with the USA.

    From mustsee, on Sun 24 Aug 3:22AM

  2. Nigeria must win this game

    From Dodondawa, on Fri 22 Aug 10:13PM

  3. IT'S A 50 50 THING BUT NIGERIA WILL CARRY THE DAY.THEY HAVE A THING WITH THE ASIAN COUNTRIES OR CONTINENT.
    ARISTOLE IHEMS.

    From ARISTOTLE, on Fri 22 Aug 5:21PM

  4. I didn't watch this game, but Ronaldinho in "sparking form"? Perhaps this game, but the other games I came away feeling that Ronnie is not in shape yet.

    I didn't have issue with his touches, it was "lack there of" that my problem was...

    He just stood around all game from what I saw in prior games..

    This is probably due to him coming off injury from last year and still getting into shape, I think he'll be OK once he does, just saying I don't think you can he was "sparkling" in this tournament...

    From Burt H, on Fri 22 Aug 4:06PM

  5. argentina will win 3-1

    From mad zek, on Fri 22 Aug 3:15PM

  6. Argentina must fall like a pack of card. Naija more-determination will count. Long Live Naija.

    From Luxy, on Fri 22 Aug 3:02PM
Sort comments by: Most recent

Not already a Yahoo! user ? to get a free Yahoo! Account