Brazil defeated Germany 1-1(5-4 on penalties) Aug. 20 to bring home its first ever Olympic gold in men’s soccer.

Based in Rio de Janeiro, the scene was anything but unfamiliar. Two years ago, Brazil and Germany faced off in the same venue: Maracanã Stadium.

However, the 2014 World Cup semi-final match was hardly ideal for Brazil. The South American nation suffered a 7-1 thrashing. Dominated and outclassed in its backyard, the match was arguably the most embarrassing moment in Brazil’s soccer history.

Following this embarrassment, Brazil struggled to regain momentum in its next major tournament, the 2015 Copa America. The usual powerhouse failed to make it beyond the quarter final round. 

If the 2015 Copa America was poor for Brazil, 2016 was even worse. Seeking to at least earn an appearance in the 2016 Copa America final, Brazil regressed yet again. This time failing to even scrape its way beyond the group stage.

The 2016 Olympic Games felt like a must-win tournament for the suffering program. As the Olympic tournament commenced, Brazil’s start was anything but picture perfect.

Two group matches in, and the team sat on the verge of elimination. Two goalless draws against South Africa and Iraq put Brazil in a tight situation.

On the brink of crisis, Brazil finally found its form defeating Denmark 4-0 allowing it to reach the tournament’s knockout stage.

Once in the knockout stage, Brazil seemed to collect its rhythm. It cemented a place in the final match against Germany and recorded convincing victories over Colombia and Honduras all while not allowing a goal in the process.

In the days leading up to the tournament finale, a sense of anxiety filled the global soccer community.

Late Saturday evening the game kicked off and the world held its breath.

Early on, Brazil played with a sense of urgency repeatedly sending dangerous through balls down Germany’s wings. However, playing with such aggression left holes in the back defensively.

Germany was first to create a scare on goal when midfielder Julian Brandt sent a curling shot beyond the reach of Brazilian keeper Weverton directly off of the crossbar. 

Despite maintaining early control of the game, Brazil was unable to provide a test for German keeper Timo Horn.

During the first half hour, Brazilian midfielder Renato Augusto had the misfortune of squabbling two close-range opportunities wide.

However, in minute 27, Brazil’s fortune changed when a surging attack created a free kick just outside of Germany’s 18-yard box — a spot that’s well within range for Brazilian star Neymar.

The team captain was quick to punish Germany for its mistake; curling his shot over the impeccable German wall but dipping just in time to kiss the underside of the crossbar on its journey into the net.

Down 1-0 and desperate for an immediate response, Germany began the restart aggressively creating numerous attacks of its own. 

Brandt had the German’s next goal scoring opportunity as well, but saw his half volley from a set piece denied by Weverton.

Just moments later, the Germans nearly equalized again when midfielder Sven Bender sent his header from a corner rattling against the Brazilian goal frame.

Despite the Germans hitting the woodwork three times during the first half, Brazil still led 1-0 at the half.

Not long after the restart though, Germany finally found its equalizer.

In the 59th minute, midfielder Max Meyer’s low clinical finish rolled its way beyond the outstretched hand of Weverton and into the bottom left corner.

After the score leveled, the match became rather dormant as neither side created any threats on goal during the remainder of regulation play.

The best chance of scoring during extra time occurred in the 106th minute when Neymar’s through ball to forward Felipe Anderson caused Timo Horn to slide off his line and snuff out the danger.

At the end of extra time, the game remained 1-1 and moved into penalty kicks.

Brazil and Germany exchanged perfect kicks until Germany’s fifth attempt, when Weverton dove the right way to deny forward Nils Petersen.

The denial by Weverton provided Brazil with the chance to be crowned Olympic champions should its next penalty kick succeed.

The kick was taken by none other than Neymar, setting up for a rather iconic finish.

Injured and forced to helplessly watch Brazil’s 7-1 thrashing against Germany two years ago, the seasoned star had the chance to gather a small piece of revenge.

As the captain prepared to kick, he added a slight stutter step to his run up but confidently placed his shot into the upper right corner of the net. 

The crowd then erupted with jubilation and a sense of restored pride filled the stadium.

While the team that competed in the Olympics wasn’t composed of the same players from Brazil’s 2014 World Cup semi-final humiliation, the wound left from that moment was healed as an Olympic gold medal helps add a touch of positivity to Brazil’s script.

With World Cup 2018 looming ever so near, this result was a timely one for Brazil.