Mexico won the Olympic soccer title for the first time in their history when they defeated Brazil 2-1 at a packed Wembley Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Striker Oribe Peralta scored both their goals - the first after only 29 seconds with a clinical finish and the second on 75m with a powerful header from a corner.
Brazil scored a late consolation goal by Hulk in injury time but it was not enough as Mexico held on to win their first ever football gold medal at the Olympics.
Brazil had a star studded side with players like the brilliant Neymar, captain Thiago Silva, Oscar and Hulk, but in the end they could not do much against Mexico’s committed defence. Especially Neymar was a marked man with up to three Mexicans onto him as soon as he touched the ball.
Mexico got off to a dream start when Peralta ran onto a pinpoint pass into the box and beat Brazilian keeper Gabriel from close range.
Brazil came close on 11m when Leandro Damiao sent Oscar clear with a delightful throughball, but Hiram Mier brought off a last gasp tackle.
Brazil looked a bit lethargic and could not break through Mexico’s defence and coach Mano Menezes made his first substitution after only 32 minutes, bringing on Hulk for Alex Sandro.
Hulk added some bulk in attack and Brazil immediately looked more dangerous. A cracking 30m shot by Hulk after 38 minutes was tipped away for a corner, while Oscar and Marcelo both came close to scoring.
Brazil immediately attacked from the start of the second half, with Hulk, Oscar and Neymar all threatening, but Mexico’s defence stood firm.
But it was Mexico who were more dangerous, as Marco Fabian hit the bar with a back flick on 63 minutes, while Peralta volleyed into the net 5m later, only to be ruled offside.
Fabian headed narrowly over the bar from corner and their pressure finally told when Peralta scored with a great header from a corner on 75m to put them 2-0 ahead.
Brazil pushed hard in the final stages with Hulk finally finding the net on 91m, while Oscar shot narrowly over the bar, but Mexico held on to finally win the gold medal.