Mexico Vs. Brazil: El Tri Earn Gold With Incredible Performance

Mexico Vs. Brazil, 2012 Olympics: Final Score 2-1 In Favor Of El Tri, Who Win First Ever Gold

A year after winning the Gold Cup and Under-17 World Cup, and just over two months after winning the Toulon Tournament, a warm-up for the Olympics, Mexico have captured another big international honor. Despite entering the 2012 Olympic final as underdogs against Brazil, they led the game for all but 28 seconds and put in a great performance in a 2-1 victory.

Oribe Peralta scored the opening goal and eventual game-winner just 29 seconds into the match, gifted to El Tri by Rafael da Silva. The Brazilian right back played a poor pass towards Sandro, who had the ball stolen from him by Javier Aquino before he even had a chance to control. Aquino's poke fell to Peralta, who pounced and finished clinically.

Brazil were terrible in the first half hour of the match and made an early tactical sub, bringing on Hulk. He was more effective than the man who started the match, Alex Sandro, but hardly produced anything notable in the match.

Mexico nearly doubled their lead in the 64th minute, when Marco Fabian was sent through on goal. Rafael did well to block his initial effort and force Fabian into a tougher shot, but the Chivas man pulled off some spectacular acrobatics with an overhead kick that nearly went in, but hit the crossbar and bounced clear.

El Tri continued to press forward instead of sitting on their lead and found a second goal with 15 minutes remaining in the game. Hector Herrera drew a foul on the edge of the penalty area from Marcelo, leading to the goal. Fabian set it up with a free kick and Peralta rose above the entire Brazilian defense, who didn't move, and powered a header into the back of the net.

The entire match was a struggle for Brazil, but in stoppage time, they decided to play and produced a dramatic close to the match. Hulk pulled a goal back for Brazil in the first minute of stoppage time, running onto a through ball and placing a great finish through the legs of Jose de Jesus Corona. With the final touch of the ball, Oscar had a chance to force extra time with a free header in the box, but couldn't get it down and hit the ball agonizingly over the bar.

Brazil entered the Olympics expected to capture gold for the first time in their history, and they'll be going home extremely disappointed. Mexico, on the other hand, would have been thrilled if they went home with bronze. Instead, they're Olympic champions for the first time in their history.

You can find our previous coverage of the final in our Mexico vs. Brazil, 2012 Olympics men's soccer final StoryStream.

Mexico Vs. Brazil, 2012 Olympics: Hulk Scores, But Mexico Take Gold Regardless

Well that made things interesting. Mexico managed to keep a 2-0 lead into stoppage time, but their defence went completely AWOL as soon as the clock hit ninety minutes and Hulk make them pay, racing onto a long ball forward, bypassing a completely square back line and slipping a shot past Jesus Corona to make it 2-1 and making it seem that the game might be back on.

It's probably too little too late from the Selecao -- it is too little too late from the Selecao. Oscar had one final chance, an unmarked header from close range which ended up flying wide, and then Mark Clattenburg blew for full time. Mexico are gold medal winners at the London Olympics, and it would be churlish to suggest that it wasn't deserved. Brazil will have to settle for their third silver medal. They've never won gold, and the they were a long way from earning one with their performance at Wembley today.

Mexico Vs. Brazil, 2012 Olympics: El Tri Double Lead

Yeah I definitely wouldn't bet on a comeback now. Mexico are up 2-0 in the Olympic 2012 goal medal game, and there are only ten minutes to go. The culprit? More disastrous defending from Brazil, Marcelo conceded a needless foul near the corner flag, and for some halfwitted reason Hulk was the one marking Oribe Peralta on the free kick. That move worked about as well as you'd expect, with the Santos Laguna striker easily evading the Porto man's attentions and sending a bullet of a header past Gabriel to double El Tri's lead.

Brazil are trying to respond and have done decently off corners, but they're running out of time and need to score very soon to even have a chance of taking this match to extra time. Jesus Corona, however, is thwarting every attempt Brazil are throwing at him. It's not looking good for the Selecao, but Mexico have totally deserved their lead.

Mexico Vs. Brazil, 2012 Olympics: More Chances For Mexico

Goodness me, it's just chance after chance for Mexico now. Oribe Peralta's got the ball into the back of the net, but he was clearly offside and the whistle was blown long before the shot went in. A few minutes later, Marco Fabian latched onto a corner with Gabriel already out of the picture, but with the open goal to aim for his header floated just over the crossbar. He's not had good luck with open goals today.

Brazil are trying to get back into the game, pulling off Sandro for AC Milan striker Alexandre Pato and going into what looks like a 4-2-4, but so far it hasn't done them any good, and that weak midfield might hurt them on the counterattack. There're only fifteen minutes for Mano Menezes' men to get back into this game, and right now it looks like El Tri on the front foot. Don't bet on a comeback now.

Mexico Vs. Brazil, 2012 Olympics: Marco Fabian Hits Crossbar

Mexico just came within a foot (and possibly a hand) of putting the gold medal game of the 2012 Olympics to bed. More dire defending from Brazil -- this time from captain Thiago Silva -- combined with a possible handball from Marco Fabian allowed the winger to burst clear into the box despite Brazil screaming for a foul. Gabriel raced out to block, but he couldn't collect the ball, which ended up loose in the penalty box. Fabian's subsequent overhead kick attempt nearly floated into the back of the net, instead ricocheting off the crossbar and to safety. That was an extremely close call for the Selecao.

Speaking of close calls, Hiram Mier's just had to bail out the El Tri defence after they allowed Leandro Damiao space to turn and try a shot in the six yard box following a driven cross from the right. If the Internacional striker had let that pass go, it would have gone straight to Neymar at the far post. Whoops. So, we're still at 1-0. It could easily be 2-0. It could easily be 1-1.

Mexico Vs. Brazil, 2012 Olympics: Neymar Goes Down After Challenge From Corona

Ouch. Brazil have been on the front foot for most of the half, but all of that attacking apparently comes with a price. It's not a Mexico counterattacking goal, but it is pretty painful -- Neymar's just gotten himself absolutely clobbered by Jesus Corona while going up for a cross. Oscar swung the ball in from the left side, it hung up invitingly for the Santos star, and Corona punched clear, then followed through with an elbow to Neymar's head. That really didn't look fun.

Neymar has to go off for some treatment, but he's back on the pitch within minutes, sporting a delightful tissue paper tusk in his left nostril. He immediately goes on an intricate, weaving run through the penalty box which is eventually curtailed when he tries to take on two defenders too many, so it looks like he's fine. Then again, a smash over the bar from eight yards indicates that make he isn't. Anyway, it's still 1-0 Mexico, and Brazil probably need to get a goal while El Tri are on the back foot...

Mexico Vs. Brazil, 2012 Olympics: Halftime Score, Oribe Peralta Has El Tri 1-0 Ahead

Brazil was the favorite coming into the gold medal match against Mexico, but they've struggled though the first half. A bad giveaway gifted Mexico an early goal and Brazil never found their rhythm after that. Through 45 minutes, Mexico lead 1-0 and they're just one half away from an improbable gold medal.

The goal came less than 30 seconds into the game on a terrible giveaway by Rafael da Silva. He was caught dwelling on the ball with Mexico pressing and played a poor pass towards Sandro in the middle of the pitch. Javier Aquino anticipated it well and poked the ball towards Oribe Peralta, who finished at the near post.

Mano Menezes dropped Hulk for Alex Sandro in the semifinal, moving Neymar to the middle and Oscar to the right, and Brazil produced their best performance of the tournament. He stuck with that same lineup and it didn't produce results early, leading Menezes to make a tactical switch in the 31st minute, bringing on Hulk and reverting to his previous first choice lineup.

Mexico are playing with three central midfielders for the first time in this tournament and it's turned out to be a great decision. With all of Carlos Salcido, Hector Herrera and Jorge Enriquez on the pitch, Brazil haven't been able to find the space they usually create for themselves in the midfield. Brazil's talent should be able to overcome Mexico's tactics and a one-goal deficit, but they've played poorly thus far and don't look like they're going to turn things around.

You can find our coverage of the final in our Mexico vs. Brazil, 2012 Olympics men's soccer final StoryStream.

Mexico Vs. Brazil, 2012 Olympics: Brazil Attack In Numbers, But Still 1-0 Down

Yep, Brazil are definitely getting back into this match. First, Oscar and Marcelo combine down the left to completely eviscerate the Mexico defence. Some beautiful play from the Real Madrid man, combined from intelligent running by the midfielder, means that the entire right side of El Tri's back line is bypassed. Oscar ends up in acres of space and tries to pick out Neymar with a cutback, and if not for a vital intervention from a flying green shirt, would have done just that.

Hulk then got into the action with a stunning 35 yard effort which was hit so hard it nearly beat Jesus Corona at his near post -- that was absolutely scorched -- before Leandro Damiao and Marcelo played a neat interchange in Mexico's penalty box only for the latter to blast well wide. He should have tested the goalkeeper there. It remains 1-0, but there are positive signs for Brazil. Can Mexico hold on?

Mexico Vs. Brazil, 2012 Olympics: Hulk Introduced For Brazil

Brazil remain 1-0 down against Mexico in the gold medal game at the 2012 Olympics, and they're going to need to do something if they want to get back into this match. That something turns out to be Hulk, who'd been dropped by Mano Menezes for the semifinal in favour of club teammate Alex Sandro. It's Alex Sandro who gets yanked off for the powerful forward -- he'd done alright in the match so far but the Selecao badly need someone to batter down the Mexico defence, and Hulk is as good as any for that.

This isn't all about Brazil testing Mexico, however. El Tri are playing well on the counterattack and hunting in packs in midfield, looking to isolate Neymar and pick off any wayward touches before surging forward. Their latest pair of attack sees Marco Fabian blast over the crossbar from range and then Carlos Salcido dribble a shot just wide of the post. This match is, obviously, very finely balanced.

Mexico Vs. Brazil, 2012 Olympics: Corona Saves Oscar Effort

Brazil haven't really been very good today. They're 1-0 down to Mexico in the gold medal game of the 2012 Olympics, and the early goal from Oribe Peralta hasn't really woken them up -- El Tri are still broadly the better side at Wembley, with Neymar and Oscar both fairly quiet for the Selecao. That said, Brazil have started every knockout round game poorly in this tournament only to step it up several notches around the twenty minute mark, and there are indications that they're doing exactly that now.

A run down the left and a cross for Oscar led to their best chance of the match. It was made by fabulous movement and skill from the new Chelsea recruit -- he managed to wind up on the ball despite a crowd of buzzing green shirts, took the closest defender out of the equation with a superb faked shot, and in virtually the same movement let fly with a left-footed shot from six yards. Unfortunately for Brazil, it was hit straight at Jesus Corona.

Mexico Vs. Brazil, 2012 Olympics: Oribe Peralta Gives El Tri 1st Minute Lead

Mexico have thrived off their opposition's defensive errors during the 2012 Olympics, seeing Senegal melt down in the quarterfinals and then Japan crumble in the semis. And now, thirty seconds into the gold medal game, they've capitalised on some bizarre defending by Brazil to take a surprise 1-0 lead at Wembley Stadium.

Rafael had the ball under pressure on the right flank, but there was no real threat until he tried to play a sideways pass which was seized upon by Javier Aquino, who quickly fed Oribe Peralta. Gabriel was leaning toward the far post, so the Santos Laguna striker simply slotted home at the near to give El Tri the lead. It's a fairly shocking goal, if only because it came thirty seconds in and following just three touches from the Selecao. Brazil don't seem rattled, although perhaps they should -- they've just shot themselves in the foot here. Remember, neither of these teams has ever won gold...

Brazil Vs. Mexico, 2012 Olympics: Lineups

With Giovani dos Santos out injured, Mexico have decided to pack the center of their midfield as opposed to reverting to the lineup they used during the first two games of the Olympics. All of Hector Herrera, Carlos Salcido and Jorge Enriquez start in the center and will do their best to stifle Brazil's attack through the center of the pitch. Brazil is sitting down Hulk yet again, with Alex Sandro getting a second consecutive start.

Brazil Lineup (4-2-3-1): Gabriel; Marcelo, Thiago Silva, Juan, Rafael; Romulo, Sandro; Alex Sandro, Oscar, Neymar; Leandro Damiao

Mexico Lineup (4-3-3): Corona; Chavez, Mier, Reyes, Jimenez; Enriquez, Herrera, Salcido; Fabian, Peralta, Aquino

Kickoff is at 10 a.m. ET, 3 p.m. local time from Wembley Stadium in London. You can watch the game on NBC Sports Network in the United States.

For live coverage of the final, follow along with our Mexico vs. Brazil, 2012 Olympics men's soccer final StoryStream.

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