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Associated Press

Brazil finally found their scoring touch in the men’s soccer tournament at the Olympics.
The host country advanced to the quarter-finals by beating Denmark 4-0 Wednesday, avoiding another embarrassing elimination in front of the home fans.
Gabigol scored twice and Gabriel Jesus and Luan added the others at the Arena Fonte Nova as Brazil continue their quest to win the Olympic gold medal in soccer for the first time.
The Brazilians will next play Colombia on Saturday in Sao Paulo.
WATCH: relive the action involving Hong Kong athletes on Day 4 and Day 5 at the Rio Olympics


Brazil had been held to scoreless draws in their first two group games and needed a victory to guarantee a spot in the knockout round. They ended up first in group A with five points, one more than Denmark, who also advanced and will play Nigeria in Salvador. South Africa and Iraq were eliminated after a 1-1 draw in Sao Paulo.
The convincing victory also helped Brazil regain the support of the local fans, who had been disappointed by their lacklustre performances and had loudly jeered the team in the games against South Africa and Iraq.
WATCH: golden moments on Day 5 at Rio Olympics


A crowd of more than 40,000 fans was behind the team from the start in Salvador and chanted “the champions are back” during parts of the game.
Led by Neymar, Brazil arrived as favourites to win the Olympic tournament and finally claim the gold medal, which is the only major prize the five-time world champions haven’t won in soccer.
Needing the victory, Brazil attacked from the start and took the lead after Gabigol’s close-range shot from a low cross by Douglas Santos in the 26th minute. Gabriel Jesus added to the lead from near the goal line in the 40th minute after a pass by Luan, who scored the third from near the penalty spot in a play started by Neymar. Gabigol’s second goal came with a shot off a rebound in the 80th.
Can China’s adorably awkward Olympic darling Fu Yuanhui turn fame into fortune?
Neymar, who had been heckled by some fans after struggling in the first two games, played better and was much more involved in the game. Gabigol and Gabriel Jesus, the 19-year-old forwards touted as two of Latin America’s most promising players, also improved and finally found the net.
Brazil were in danger of another humiliating elimination just two years after the 7-1 loss to Germany at their home World Cup. The senior team also disappointed at the Copa America two months ago, failing to advance from the group stage of the continental competition.
Earlier on Wednesday, two-time Olympic champions Argentina and defending champions Mexico were eliminated from medal contention after failing to advance from the group stage.
‘How old are China’s women gymnasts?!’ Youngsters spark suspicions as Olympics TV viewers can’t believe their eyes
Playing without any of their star names, Argentina needed a win against Honduras but were held to a 1-1 draw at the Mane Garrincha Stadium in Brasilia. It was another blow to Argentine soccer following the senior team’s loss in the Copa America final in June and the ongoing crisis enveloping the sport at home.
Mexico, who brought a stronger team and were again among the title favourites, lost to South Korea 1-0 in Brasilia to end their chances of repeating the triumph of four years ago when they upset Brazil in the final in London.
South Korea will now meet Honduras in Belo Horizonte.
Germany will play Portugal in Brasilia after advancing to the quarter-finals with a 10-0 rout of Fiji at the Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte, the same place where the country’s senior team embarrassed Brazil 7-1 in the semi-finals of the 2014 World Cup. Fiji had already lost 5-1 to Mexico and 8-0 to South Korea.
All quarter-final matches will be on Saturday.


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Rio 2016 Olympic Games

Brazil thrash Denmark in Rio to avoid early elimination from men’s Olympic soccer event

Brazil captain Neymar finally sparked his team into a performance for the 4-0 rout of Denmark. Photo: AP

Brazil's Marquinhos heads the ball over Denmark's Andres Maxso, bottom left, and Nicolai Brock-Madsen, right, during a group A match of the men's Olympic football tournament between Brazil and Denmark at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Brazil, Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2016. (AP Photo/Arrison Marinho)

People celebrate after Brazil scored a goal against Denmark during the men's Olympic football tournament at the 2016 Summer Olympics while watching the live transmission at a bar in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2016. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

Brazil's Neymar and coach Rogerio Micale, center, embrace after a group A match of the men' s Olympic football tournament between Brazil and Denmark in Salvador, Brazil, Wednesday Aug. 10, 2016. Brazil won 4-0.(AP Photo/Leo Correa)

Brazil show China's Olympic players that footballing culture has to be bred, not bought

Monica of Brazil challenges for the ball with Li Dongna of China in the Olympic group E opener. Photo: Kyodo

Former president of the FIFA Joao Havelange of Brazil reacts after receiving a medal from the Paraguayan Olympic Committee during a ceremony in Luque in this January 28, 2009 file photo. Former FIFA President Joao Havelange has resigned from the International Olympic Committee days before an ethics hearing into his conduct, the BBC reported on December 4, 2011. FIFA president from 1974-98 when he was replaced by Sepp Blatter, Havelange was under IOC investigation for his links with FIFA's former marketing agency International Sport and Leisure (ISL). REUTERS/Jorge Adorno/Files (PARAGUAY - Tags: SPORT SOCCER OLYMPICS)

epa05454161 Cristiane (C) of Brazil in action against Pang Fengyue (R) of China during the women's first round match between Brazil and China of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games Soccer tournament at the Olympic Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 03 August 2016. Brazil won 3-0. EPA/DIEGO AZUBEL

(160727) -- BEIJING, July 27, 2016 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), speaks after listening to a work report of the PLA army during an inspection of the army's headquarters on July 27, 2016. Xi inspected on Wednesday the army's headquarters ahead of the 89th anniversary of the founding of the PLA on Aug. 1 and extended greetings to all soldiers and officers on behalf of the CPC Central Committee and the CMC. (Xinhua/Li Gang)(mcg)

Brazil soccer great Pele auctioning off huge collection of  awards and memorabilia

Pele greets players at a soccer clinic for young players at the Hong Kong Sports Institute in Sha Tin in 1998. Photo: SCMP Pictures

Brazilian soccer legend, Pele who is in HK for the launch of the World Cup Mastercard hams it up for the camera at the HK Bank. 24 feb 98

Brazilian legend Pele says he will not light Olympic flame due to poor health

Brazilian football legend Pele holds the Olympic flame at a promotional event last month poor health will prevent him from lighting the Olympic cauldron on Friday night. Photo: AFP

Sport

Football

Hosts finally join their own party to advance to the quarter-finals after comfortable 4-0 win over Denmark


Brazil thrash Denmark in Rio to avoid early elimination from men’s Olympic soccer event

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Hosts finally join their own party to advance to the quarter-finals after comfortable 4-0 win over Denmark

WATCH: relive the action involving Hong Kong athletes on Day 4 and Day 5 at the Rio Olympics

Hosts finally join their own party to advance to the quarter-finals after comfortable 4-0 win over Denmark