Rio 2016: Brazil draw a blank as fans boo home side after 0-0 draw with South Africa

Brazil 0 South Africa 0: Despite having the likes of Neymar and Gabriel Jesus in their attack, Brazil were unable to beat 10-man South Africa

Rio de Janeiro

Friday 05 August 2016 07:15 BST

Neymar has an unsuccessful effort on goal during Brazil's 0-0 Olympic draw with South Africa (Getty)

Brazil failed to make a winning start despite home advantage, a multi-million dollar strike force and a man advantage as they were held 0-0 by South Africa in their opening soccer match at the Rio Olympics on Thursday.

Brazil, who have never won the Olympic gold, started with a highly rated front three of Neymar, new Manchester City signing Gabriel Jesus, and 19-year-old Gabriel Barbosa, the Santos striker expected to head to Europe in this transfer window.

But the little-known South Africans matched them until they had Mothobi Mvala sent off just before the hour. Brazil pinned their opponents down after that but just could not score.

"That's football," Barbosa said in a TV interview after some fans in the 69,000 crowd had booed the team as they left the field. "Sometimes the ball doesn't go in the net."

Barcelona striker Neymar had two of Brazil's best chances, forcing keeper Itumeleng Khune to make diving saves to thwart two rasping drives from outside the box.

Jesus smacked the ball off the post from two yards out when it looked easier to score, while Barbosa should have done better when he scuffed a shot with only the keeper to beat.

But a big crowd in the National Stadium in Brasilia went home unhappy after the second game of the day ended goalless.

That result was not the only surprise as their great rivals Argentina lost 2-0 to Portugal. It was the South Americans' first Olympics reverse in 13 games. Argentina were unbeaten in winning gold during their last two appearances in 2004 and 2008.

Holders Mexico drew 2-2 with Germany in Salvador, with all four goals coming in the second half.

Ten British Gold Medal Prospects At Rio 2016

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1/10Ten British Gold Medal Prospects At Rio 2016

Ten British Gold Medal Prospects At Rio 2016

CHARLOTTE DUJARDIN - Individual Dressage

The defending Olympic champion in the individual and team dressage disciplines, barely a competition seems to go by in which the 29-year-old Dujardin and her horse, Valegro, do not increase their standing with yet more world records. The pair are looking invincible. Prospects: 24 carat gold

Steve Parsons/PA Wire

Ten British Gold Medal Prospects At Rio 2016

GILES SCOTT - Sailing (Finn class)

Arguably one of the best sportsmen to not feature at an Olympics, Scott has suffered the misfortune of competing in the same event as Sir Ben Ainslie with only one spot available. But Ainslie’s Olympic ambitions are now over. Prospects: Gold digger

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Ten British Gold Medal Prospects At Rio 2016

WOMEN'S TEAM PURSUIT - Cycling

Once unbeatable, the trio of riders, which later became a quartet – Katie Archibald, Elinor Barker, Laura Trott and Joanna Rowsell, with Dani King vying to win her place back – went four years without a defeat before being outdone by Australia at the World Championships in Paris in February. Such is British Cycling’s ability to peak at the right time, expect them to be back on top next year. Prospects: Going for gold

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Ten British Gold Medal Prospects At Rio 2016

ALISTAIR BROWNLEE - Triathlon

Only fifth in the world, but the Olympic champion had a late start to the season. He has won two of his three races in 2015 and his rivalry with Spain’s Javier Gomez will be captivating up to the Games. Prospects: Going for gold

Getty

Ten British Gold Medal Prospects At Rio 2016

SCOTT BRASH - Individual Show Jumping

The multi-million-pound horse Hello Sanctos has helped put Brash, a gold medallist at London 2012 in the team event, comfortably at the top of the world rankings. He is currently on course to become the first rider to win showjumping’s Triple Crown. Prospects: Going for gold

Getty Images

Ten British Gold Medal Prospects At Rio 2016

MO FARAH - Athletics – 5,000m and 10,000m

Britain’s leading athlete may have been in the headlines for the wrong reasons in past weeks but he remains the world’s leading distance runner. A repeat of that golden double over the 5,000m and 10,000m will be a hard ask but the Londoner ought to come out on top in at least one. Prospects: Going for gold

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Ten British Gold Medal Prospects At Rio 2016

WOMEN'S PAIR - Rowing

Helen Glover and Heather Stanning halted their successful partnership in 2012 so the latter could resume military duties. Now reunited, they are gradually getting back to being the sport’s powerhouses. Prospects: 24 carat gold

AFP/Getty

Ten British Gold Medal Prospects At Rio 2016

MEN'S COXLESS FOUR - Rowing

British Rowing has turned its attention to the eight as the lead boat this year in order to qualify for the Olympic Games. However, the coxless four will once more be the No 1 boat for Team GB in Rio. The make-up of the boat is still unknown but Britain will be bidding to achieve a fifth straight win in the event at the Games.

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Ten British Gold Medal Prospects At Rio 2016

KATARINA JOHNSON-THOMPSON - Heptahlon

The 22-year-old from Liverpool has just one Olympic appearance to her name dating back to London, where she finished 15th while Jessica Ennis shone. But she has become the world’s leading female eventer and ought to be Olympic favourite. Prospects: Going for gold

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Ten British Gold Medal Prospects At Rio 2016

JADE JONES - Taekwondo 57kg

Ranked second in the world behind Eva Calvo Gomez, the attack-minded Jones beat the Spaniard at last year’s World Grand Prix and was recently crowned the first European Games champion. She believes the world title would have been hers if not for a scoring system error. Prospects: Gold digger

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Earlier on Thursday, Iraq and Denmark kicked the tournament off with a 0-0 draw at a mostly empty National Stadium.

The first goals in the competition came soon after in Rio, where Honduras beat Algeria 3-2 in an enthralling match.

The opening ceremony for the Rio Games takes place on Friday but the men's soccer tournament began 24 hours earlier, a day after the women's soccer teams began their quest for gold. Twelve women's teams are in Brazil, along with 16 men's sides.

A dejected Neymar leaves the Mane Garrincha Stadium after Brazil's 0-0 draw with South Africa (Getty)

The Olympic football competition is being played in Rio and six other cities.

Reuters

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