Neymar nets fastest Olympic goal as Brazil routs Honduras

RIO DE JANEIRO — Brazil's Neymar has not yet won his country a gold medal, but Wednesday he at least pocketed an Olympic record — the fastest goal, at a dazzling 15 seconds into the game against overwhelmed Honduras. The semifinal had barely kicked off when Barcelona forward Neymar intercepted the ball, charged toward the Honduran side, tripped over the goalie and landed the ball into the net, sending the Maracana Stadium into a frenzy of cheers. "It was amazing to just arrive in the stadium and watch a beautiful goal," said Filipe Deliza, a 19 year-old law student from Rio. "I was expecting Brazil to win but I was not expecting it would be so easy," added Deliza, wearing a yellow Brazilian shirt, as Brazil came out on top 6-0. Deliza and other Brazilians were hoping the goal was an auspicious sign that their Olympic soccer hoodoo would be coming to an end. The South American powerhouse has been in the Olympic tournament 12 times but lost three finals, including at London 2012. Team captain Neymar could also cement his status as one of Brazil's greatest players if he can lead his team to gold in Rio. In any case, he is already drawing comparison to other Olympic greats. "Neymar's goal, 15 seconds in, is the fastest in the history of Olympic football, 5.42 seconds more than Usain Bolt," the Rio 2016 Spanish-language account tweeted in reference to the Jamaican sprinter. The host now has the chance to ease some of the pain caused by a 7-1 humiliation at the hands of Germany on home soil at the 2014 World Cup by delivering Brazil's first football gold medal. A mouth-watering rematch with the Germans is in store should the world champions see off 1996 winner Nigeria in Wednesday's other semifinal later in Sao Paulo.