LONDON: Mexico stunned Brazil to win their first gold in the Olympic men’s football tournament as Oribe Peralta’s double clinched a shock 2-1 victory over the five-time world champions on Saturday.
Peralta struck after just 30 seconds and the Mexican striker sealed one of the all-time great Olympic upsets when he scored again late in the second half.
The first goal came about when Manchester United right-back Rafael da Silva dwelt on the ball and then poked a hesitant pass towards Sandro, who was caught flat-footed as Javier Aquino stole possession.
Peralta latched onto Aquino’s pass and the striker advanced unchecked before slipping a clever low shot past Brazil goalkeeper Gabriel from just outside the penalty area.
Hulk gave Brazil hope of a dramatic late fight-back when he burst through to drive a low shot under the keeper in the first minute of stoppage-time.
And incredibly Oscar should have forced extra-time, but the Chelsea midfielder headed over with the goal at his mercy as Mexico held on.
While Brazil have graced the World Cup with some of the best players and most dazzling performances ever seen on football’s grandest stage, the Selecao have never managed to replicate those golden moments at the Games and this was another miserable chapter in their Olympic history.
Brazil, bronze medallists in Beijing in 2008, lost in the Olympic final in 1984 and 1988 and their failure to win gold has rankled with such a proud football nation.
Mano Menezes’s team are unlikely to get a sympathetic reception on their return home after such a lacklustre display riddled with nerves and defensive blunders.
Not only was Peralta responsible for both goals, but his first was also the fastest since at least 1976, FIFA announced.
The world body has only been keeping track of Olympic records from 1976 and Peralta’s feat is the quickest since then.
Meanwhile, on Friday, South Korea finished with the bronze medal after beating neighbours Japan 2-0. (AFP)