Neymar scores fastest goal in Olympics

The Barcelona striker scored 15 seconds into the game and converted a penalty kick in second-half injury time on Wednesday to lead Brazil over Honduras 6-0 in the semifinals of the men’s tournament in Rio. 

The host country will play Germany in Saturday’s final. Germany defeated Nigeria 2-0 in Wednesday’s other semifinal on the strength of goals by Lukas Klostermann and Nils Petersen. 

“Scoring a goal that early was spectacular for us,” Brazil coach Rogerio Micale said. “It helped us break the game open and it made everything easier.” 

Gabriel Jesus added two goals in the first half at the packed Maracana Stadium and Marquinhos and Luan scored a goal each in the second. 

Brazil has never won the Olympic title, and lost in the final at the 2012 London Games. 

“We won and we won well, but if in the final we don’t play well again, all of this will be for nothing,” Brazil midfielder Renato Augusto said. “We don’t want to disappoint the fans. They want us to play well and they want us to win the gold.” 

Brazilian fans are hoping for a different result this time against Germany, whose senior team embarrassed Brazil 7-1 in the semifinals of the World Cup two years ago. 

“Hey Germany, just wait, your turn is coming up,” the fans chanted at the Maracana. 

Only the gold will be enough, with Brazil playing at home and being considered the main title-favourite in a tournament played mostly with under-23 squads and very few stars.

The Olympic gold medal is the only major trophy the fivetime World Cup champions haven’t won in soccer. 

With Neymar playing well, Brazil was in command from the start in front of the more than 70,000 fans at the Maracana.