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Argentina clinches soccer gold at the 2008 Olympics

24 Aug, 2008  |  Written by JH  |  under Olympics 2008
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On a day when the heat on the field topped a punishing 107 degrees, and the referee twice stopped play because of the sizzle, Argentina proved itself a champion again.

Argentina became the first team in 40 years to successfully defend an Olympic soccer gold medal when they defeated Nigeria 1-0 on Saturday in Beijing.

Argentina won the gold in Athens in 2004, and the silver in 1996 when they were beaten in the final by Nigeria.

No men’s team has managed to successfully defend a soccer gold medal since Hungary in Mexico City in 1968.

Angel di Maria provided the finish to another piece of magic from Lionel Messi, helping Argentina defeat Nigeria 1-0 for its second straight gold medal in Olympic soccer.

Di Maria collected Messi’s expertly timed pass in the 58th minute Saturday and nonchalantly lobbed it over the goalkeeper. Nigeria, the 1996 champions, settled for the silver medal.

Brazil makes Olympic soccer quarterfinals

12 Aug, 2008  |  Written by JH  |  under Olympics 2008
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Ronaldinho scored two second-half goals Sunday to lead Brazil to a 5-0 win over New Zealand and a spot in the quarterfinals of the Olympic soccer tournament.

Ronaldinho netted his first goal of the tournament with a free kick in the 54th minute, and added another with a penalty kick in the 61st. The two-time FIFA Player of the Year hadn’t scored for Brazil in an official competition in nearly a year.

Anderson opened the scoring less than three minutes in. Alexandre Pato scored in the 34th and Rafael Sobis added another goal in second-half injury time to keep Brazil on track for its first gold medal in soccer.