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Football gold for Mexico

August 11, 2012

Five-time World Cup champions Brazil were denied their first Olympic gold in soccer yet again. They lost 2-1 to underdogs Mexico at Wembley stadium. In athletics, Jamaica had an expected triumph in the 4x100 men's relay

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Fans of Mexico's soccer team celebrate after their team beat Brazil in the men's soccer final at the London 2012 Summer Olympics, at a restaurant in Mexico City, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2012. Mexico won the match 2-1 and the gold.(Foto:Marco Ugarte/AP/dapd)
Image: dapd

Brazil won every single game on the way to the Olympic football final in London, but Mexico secured the gold medal in the end, with a 2-1 win witnessed by over 86,000 fans at Wembley stadium.

It is not only Mexico's first football gold, it is also the country's first medal at London 2012. For Brazil, it was the third defeat in an Olympic final after losses in 1984 and 1988. Mexico's previous best finish was fourth place at home in Mexico City in 1968.

Brazil's forward Neymar looks dejected after Mexico won the men's football final match between Brazil and Mexico at Wembley stadium in London during the London Olympic Games on August 11, 2012. AFP PHOTO / MARTIN BERNETTI (Photo credit should read MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP/GettyImages)
Forward Neymar couldn't get into the swing of thingsImage: Getty Images

Oribe Peralta put Mexico ahead just 28 seconds into the match. He scored the second goal in the 75th minute with a header. Brazil's Hulk scored in stoppage time, but a header from Oscar went over the crossbar, denying Brazil an equalizer.

South Korea dispute

Meanwhile, South Korea, whose soccer team took bronze after defeating Japan 2-0 on Friday in Cardiff, saw one of their players banned from attending the awards ceremony.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) said Park Jong Woo could not attend after allegedly displaying a sign reading "Dokdo is our land." He was referring to his country's claim to sovereignty over a group of disputed islands between South Korea and Japan.

The IOC said it launched an inquiry and demanded swift action from the South Koreans as, according to its rules, politics should have no role to play in the Games.

Bolt finishes in glory

Jamaican Usain Bolt ended his London Olympics on a triumphant note, leading the Jamaican men's relay team to victory in the 4x100 meters final.

The Jamaican team, consisting of Bolt, Nesta Carter, Michael Frater and Yohan Blake, broke the record they set at last year's world championships, completing the run in just 36.84 seconds.

Jamaica won the same event at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, setting a new Olympic record of 37.10 with Bolt running third instead of fourth like this time.

Usain Bolt of Jamaica receives the relay baton from Yohan Blake of Jamaica next to Ryan Bailey of the United States
Bolt (r) took over from Blake for the last leg to beat Bailey (l)Image: Getty Images

Saturday's win gave the 25-year-old Bolt his sixth career Olympic gold from two games after he also successfully defended the 100 and 200 crowns he won in Beijing.

The United States team with Trell Kimmons, Justin Gatlin, Tyson Gay and Ryan Bailey won silver in 37.04 to equal last year's record by the Jamaicans.

The Canadian team was in tears after being disqualified from third place for a lane infringement, allowing Trinidad and Tobago to snatch the bronze in 38.12.

tj,ng/slk (dpa, SID, AFP, AP)