Neymar inspired Brazil to redemption, revenge and glory, helping atone for the most humiliating night in the country's footballing history by defeating nemesis Germany on penalties to finally win Olympic gold.
The wounds remain raw two years on from a 7-1 World Cup semi-final shellacking that not only saw the Selecao lose the chance of winning on home turf but their dignity.
Saturday's gold medal match offered a shot at redemption and proved the defining moment of the hosts' Games, with Neymar, ruled out of 2014's meeting through injury, scoring the decisive penalty as Germany were overcome 5-4 in the shootout that followed an intense 1-1 draw at the magnificent Maracana.
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