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Olympic Football Recaps: 31 July (Day 12)

Men's Semifinals, Match 30

BRA vs. NGR

Nigeria Shocks Brazil 4-3 in Overtime Men's Olympic Football

Nwankwo KANU scored the "Golden Goal" four minutes into overtime on Wednesday night to complete Nigeria's shocking 4-3 come-from-behind win over Brazil in semifinal play before a crowd of 78,587 at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia, Nigeria advances to Saturday's gold medal match against Argentina while Brazil, a gold medal favorite, will face Portugal in the bronze medal game on Friday.

Nigeria trailed at halftime as Flavio CONCEICAO, with two goals, and BEBETO helped Brazil to a 3-1 lead. But the Nigerians fought back in the second half with an attacking, unrelenting style of offense that produced two goals in the final 14 minutes of regulation. KANU, who turns 20 on Thursday, tied the game with a minute remaining as he hooked a shot in front of the goal past goalkeeper DIDA and defender Jose FERREIRA.

The game-winning score was set up on a long pass that hit a teammate in the back and bounced in front of KANU, who turned a defender and ripped a shot from 18 yards for goal. Surprisingly, Nigeria could have settled the game in regulation, but Augustine OKOCHA missed a penalty kick in the 63rd minute.

Final Score: NGR 4, BRA 3, OT.

See story

"The Nigerian team was well in the sense that they played with hustle and were able to change the entire game," said Brazil Coach Mario ZAGALLO following his team's 4-3 loss. "This happens in soccer and unfortunately it happened to us."


This is an official publication of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publications Department.


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Olympic Factoid
The Mother Nature was kind to Olympic athletes and spectators. The average high temperature during the Games was 89 degrees with an average low of 72 degrees. Highest temperature registered (20 July) - 99 degrees. Lowest high temperature registered is 79 degrees (28 July).