Brazil have opened their Olympic campaign with a 3-2 victory over Egypt this evening.
The much-fancied South Americans started in perfect fashion, taking the lead through Rafael after just 16 minutes.
This lead was doubled 10 minutes later when Leandro Damiao slotted the ball past Egyptian keeper Ahmed Elshenawi.
Brazil extended the lead even further less than five minutes later as Neymar, touted as a potential star of the tournament, opened his account to give his side a 3-0 lead within half an hour.
Egypt hit back less than 10 minutes after the interval, however, as Mohamed Aboutrika gave his side a glimmer of hope by bringing the score back to 3-1.
This hope was amplified with 15 minutes left as Mohamed Salah got another goal back for the Egyptians, leaving Brazil with a tense end to the match as they looked to hold on to what had previously been a three-goal lead.
However, Egypt couldn't find the final goal that would have completed a sensational comeback as Brazil claimed all three points.
Next up for Brazil is Belarus on July 29, while Egypt face New Zealand on the same day.
Barney Corkhill
