Neymar finds redemption in Olympic gold

Neymar buried the winning kick of a penalty shootout against Germany on Saturday night at Maracana Stadium, sending all of Brazil into a boisterous celebration.

The men's soccer tournament attracted most of the attention of Brazilian fans at the Olympics.

The country's football federation took the Olympic tournament very seriously, bringing Neymar and many talented youngsters who are expected to be in the main squad in the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

The men's Olympic tournament is contested among under-23 teams, but they can each bring three players from the senior national team.

Neymar was heavily criticized by soccer-crazy Brazilians who saw the women's national team, and particularly star Marta, off to a fast start in contrast.

First came a decisive 4-0 victory over Denmark to close out the group, followed by a 2-0 victory over Colombia in the quarterfinals.

Neymar was on the World Cup team but didn't play against Germany because of a back injury sustained in the quarterfinals against Colombia.

With his penalty kick in the Olympic final, Neymar helped ease some of that lingering bitterness.