Despite winning a record five World Cups Brazil have never won an Olympic gold. They fell just short in London four years ago, losing 2-1 to Mexico in the final. Four-time world champions Germany have never struck gold either as a united nation. East Germany won gold in 1976, while the West Germany’s best effort came with bronze in 1988.

The Olympic title is the only one missing which is why Neymar missed the Copa America, to ensure he was fit and firing for this mission.  Brazil Football Team in the Olympic competition are comprised primarily of players under the age of 23 with only three players over 23 able to participate. Olympic football tournament is a glorified Under-23 competition that has little credibility now that clubs are not obliged to release players to take part. But it is a matter of claiming gold. Saturday’s final will put a lot of pressure, especially on Brazil.

The pressure, whether rightly or wrongly placed, of making up for the World Cup loss to Germany, the pressure to be the first hosts to win a men’s football gold medal on home soil. The pressure to get back on top of the football world.

Dark days for Brazil football team

Brazil performed poorly since their 2002 World Cup win, exiting in the quarter final stage of both 2006 and 2010. They were knocked out in a humiliating fashion by Germany in the 2014 World Cup Semis. Their dismal performance did not stop even after that as the very next year they suffered an early exit at the Copa America 2015 losing once again to Paraguay on penalties (a repeat of the 2011 Copa America).

The Brazil fans have been left completely disheartened by the group stage exit at the Copa America Centenario 2016 losing to minnows Peru this year. That semi final loss to Germany turned out to be the “darkest day” in Brazilian football history. Goal after goal with the whole world watching and most hoping for a comeback, but there was none. Brazilian fans are still reeling from the most devastating defeat in the nation’s history.

The much anticipated final gives Brazil a chance to not only win its first ever gold medal. But also extract some measure of redemption for its loss to Germany in the World Cup two years ago. Brazil’s most painful loss until 2014 had been a 2-1 defeat to Uruguay at Rio’s Maracana. Despite the 2014 semi-final, Brazil still enjoy a favorable head-to-head record with Germany, winning 12 and losing just five of their 22 meetings. The most famous Brazil win coming in the 2002 World Cup final.

Germans strolling through the Rio Olympics

Germany stuttered early before finding form in the knockout rounds. After conceding two to Mexico and three to South Korea in group stages, they kept clean sheets seeing off Portugal and Nigeria. The Germans scored five goals in the first two contests, but only managed draws in both matches. A resounding 10–0 win over Fiji sent them into the next round.

Germany scored six goals in their two knock-out games to easily advance to the finals. A 2-0 semi-final win over Nigeria took free-scoring Germany’s impressive tally for the tournament to 22 goals in just five matches. They also boast the two top scorers in the competition with Serge Gnabry and Nils Petersen both on six.

Germany’s defence will now be tested against a Brazil side that, during the course of the competition has proved one of the oldest truisms in the game. Germany is likely to enjoy plenty of possession. But if Brazil cannot get in front early, then it will be interesting to see how the hosts react. Germany also had difficulties getting through the group stage.

Reaching finals making history

Brazil enters Saturday’s contest with offensive momentum after a slow start to the tournament. The hosts struggled to advance out of the group stage, going 206 minutes without scoring a goal. Brazil’s first two matches — goalless draws against South Africa and Iraq — were appalling affairs. The team’s 4-3-3 system clearly did not work and there was a huge gap between the attack and midfield. Consequently, there was no fluidity or constructive passing. The team’s attacks were a series of individual breaks from Neymar, Gabriel Barbosa or Gabriel Jesus, which were comfortably snuffed out by the opposing defense. Things looked up as soon as manager Rogerio Micale tweaked his system for the crunch third game against Denmark.

Luan came into the attack to form something like a 4-2-4, but either he or Neymar also dropped to link with the midfield. At times both have gone deep to combine and, as the full-backs have burst forward, so the two Gabriel’s have cut infield inside the penalty area creating a highly dynamic variation to the formation.

Once in the knock-out rounds, Brazil has turned it up, defeating South American rivals Colombia 2–0 and dispatching surprise semi-finalists Honduras 6-0 to reach the final. An ill-tempered game against Colombia would have been more complicated, if not for an 11th-minute free kick from Neymar. And the semifinal against Honduras could not have started any better for the hosts. After just fifteen seconds, superstar Neymar stole the ball in Honduras territory and quickly scored past the oncoming goalkeeper. The goal set the record for the fastest in Olympic history.

Reclaiming honour in front of home fans

Brazil men’s football team are now handed the responsibility of bringing honour back to the symbol of the nation. It is a massive responsibility, but also the dream that has kept the Olympic flame burning across Brazil.

Finally, they have their shot, and woe betide if they do not take it. They will never, ever have a better chance to do it. And, if they somehow contrive to lose, a nation may never, ever be able to forgive them for it.

The sheen on all the other gold medals that Brazil has won in the Olympics may lose a bit of the sparkle. Incredibly, it really is that serious. Brazil have the opportunity to let their people forever look back on the Olympic Games with a smile.

They are 90 minutes away from redemption. The symbolism of winning a final at the Maracana against the side that denied them that right two years ago will go a long way to healing the wounded pride of Brazilian football.

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