Brazil beat New Zealand 3-0 to end the group stages on a high ahead of the quarterfinals of the men's Olympic football tournament. With goals by Danilo in the 23rd minute, Leandro Damiao in the 29th and Sandro in the 52nd, the Brazilians had a walk in the park.
The result ensured New Zealand, which needed to win to have any chance of advancing from Group C exit the tournament.
Brazil topped the group with nine points from three matches.
Trying to win its first Olympic gold in football, Brazil will play the quarterfinals against the second-place team in Group D - either Japan, Honduras or Morocco.
The Olympic tournament is the only significant football competition Brazil hasn't won. It earned silver in 1984 and 1988, and bronze in 1996 and 2008.
"I really liked the way the team played," Brazil coach Mano Menezes said. "We did a good job keeping the ball, we didn't rush the plays and that was important, the plays came naturally."
The first goal came after a give-and-goal play between Damiao and Danilo, who received the ball near the penalty spot and easily sent it past New Zealand goalkeeper Michael O'Keeffe.
Damiao added the second from the six-meter line, finding the open net after a low cross by Alex Sandro. Real Madrid left back Marcelo started the play with a backheel pass to Alex Sandro inside the box.
Marcelo also took the left-side free kick that led to Sandro's goal from near the far post. The ball crossed the area behind the defenders and the Tottenham midfielder easily found the net.
Menezes made five changes from the team that beat Belarus 1-0 on Sunday, leaving out Hulk, Alexandre Pato, Oscar, Romulo and goalkeeper Neto. Gabriel, Lucas, Leandro Damiao, Danilo and Alex Sandro got to play.
"I liked how the players came into the match and kept the team playing at a high level," Menezes said. "It shows we have a quality group of players."
"It was very difficult coming into this game knowing that we had to win against a top team like Brazil," New Zealand coach Neil Emblen said. "We just have to learn from this experience."
The result ensured New Zealand, which needed to win to have any chance of advancing from Group C exit the tournament.
Brazil topped the group with nine points from three matches.
Trying to win its first Olympic gold in football, Brazil will play the quarterfinals against the second-place team in Group D - either Japan, Honduras or Morocco.
The Olympic tournament is the only significant football competition Brazil hasn't won. It earned silver in 1984 and 1988, and bronze in 1996 and 2008.
"I really liked the way the team played," Brazil coach Mano Menezes said. "We did a good job keeping the ball, we didn't rush the plays and that was important, the plays came naturally."
The first goal came after a give-and-goal play between Damiao and Danilo, who received the ball near the penalty spot and easily sent it past New Zealand goalkeeper Michael O'Keeffe.
Damiao added the second from the six-meter line, finding the open net after a low cross by Alex Sandro. Real Madrid left back Marcelo started the play with a backheel pass to Alex Sandro inside the box.
Marcelo also took the left-side free kick that led to Sandro's goal from near the far post. The ball crossed the area behind the defenders and the Tottenham midfielder easily found the net.
Menezes made five changes from the team that beat Belarus 1-0 on Sunday, leaving out Hulk, Alexandre Pato, Oscar, Romulo and goalkeeper Neto. Gabriel, Lucas, Leandro Damiao, Danilo and Alex Sandro got to play.
"I liked how the players came into the match and kept the team playing at a high level," Menezes said. "It shows we have a quality group of players."
"It was very difficult coming into this game knowing that we had to win against a top team like Brazil," New Zealand coach Neil Emblen said. "We just have to learn from this experience."
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