Football giants Spain crash out of Games

Spain's bid to add Olympic gold to their world and European titles ended in failure on Sunday with a shock 1-0 loss to Honduras.

Jerry Bengtson's seventh-minute header at St. James' Park, the striker's third goal in two games, condemned Spain to an early exit following their opening defeat by Group D leaders Japan.

In a fractious match featuring 13 bookings, Spain's Iker Muniain hit the post and Rodrigo the bar, and a host of Spanish players converged upon referee Juan Soto Arevalo after the Venezuelan denied them a late penalty.

Spain coach Luis Milla insisted his side had been unlucky.

"All that was lacking today was the goal. I don't want to say too much, but we feel there should have been a penalty," he said.

Bengtson scored when he rose high to power in Roger Espinoza's driven cross past Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea.

"We played so well to beat Spain," said Bengtson. "It's very nice that we heard the crowd supporting us and shouting 'Honduras, Honduras'."

Gold-medal favourites Brazil came from a goal behind to beat Belarus 3-1 with Neymar turning on the style at a packed Old Trafford on Sunday.

Belarus took a shock lead, in front of a crowd of more than 66,000 at the home ground of English giants Manchester United, through Renan Bardini Bressan's eighth-minute header.

But from then on Brazil, five-times world champions but still seeking a first Olympic gold, saw Neymar take charge.

He crossed for AC Milan star Pato to equalise, before he put Brazil in front with a brilliant 65th minute free-kick and then set up Oscar for the third goal.

Meanwhile Great Britain enjoyed their first Olympic win since 1960 with a 3-1 defeat of the United Arab Emirates at Wembley.

After Manchester United veteran Ryan Giggs had become the oldest goalscorer in Olympic history at the age of 38, Rashed Eisa equalised for the UAE.

But goals from Scott Sinclair and Daniel Sturridge eased the hosts' nerves.

"Ryan brings respect," said Great Britain manager Stuart Pearce, whose side could only manage a 1-1 draw with Senegal first time out.

"That's a word that's used cheaply nowadays, but the way he handles himself on and off the pitch is outstanding and we were delighted he got a goal this evening."

Meanwhile 10-man Senegal opened up Group A with a shock 2-0 win over Uruguay, teenager Moussa Konate scoring twice either side of Abdoulaye Ba's first-half dismissal for a foul on Luis Suarez.

Japan qualified for the quarter-finals with a 1-0 Group D win over Morocco secured by Kensuke Nagai's 84th minute goal.

Asian rivals South Korea also enjoyed a 2-1 win over Switzerland to draw level with Group B leaders Mexico, who beat Gabon 2-0 thanks to two goals from Tottenham's Giovani dos Santos.

Egypt's last-eight hopes suffered a setback when they were held to a 1-1 draw by New Zealand.

  • Best and worst sugar substitutes Fri, May 17, 2013

    Sugar has earned a bad reputation for being bad for your heart, your brain and your waistline. Because of this, there have been many attempts to market sugar substitutes. Some are useful, but some More »

  • Why go through a preventive double mastectomy? Fri, May 17, 2013

    Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie announced she has had both her breasts removed in February to reduce her high genetic risk of breast cancer. The surgery, called double mastectomy, brought down her More »

  • Top 8 lucrative routes for taxi drivers Fri, May 17, 2013

    For a taxi driver, a key survival skill is knowing where to find customers. As far as possible, a driver should know the routes at his or her fingertips. Hence, in this 6th instalment of Taxi Talks, More »

Loading...
  • Teo Ho Pin presses WP's Sylvia Lim for answers

    Teo Ho Pin presses WP's Sylvia Lim for answers

    Teo Ho Pin presses WP's Sylvia Lim for answers

    Worker's Party Chairman Sylvia Lim has challenged Dr Teo Ho Pin to make a report to the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) if he believes that the WP had mismanaged the Town Council.

  • Some Chinese tourists 'uncivilised': top official

    Some Chinese tourists 'uncivilised': top official

    Some Chinese tourists 'uncivilised': top official

    The dire manners and "uncivilised behaviour" of some Chinese tourists abroad are harming the country's image, said a top official who lamented their poor "quality and breeding", according to state-run media.

  • Former president Nathan urges more Singaporeans to volunteer

    Former president Nathan urges more Singaporeans to volunteer

    Former president Nathan urges more Singaporeans to volunteer

    “People need to feel compassion,” says former president of Singapore, S R Nathan. “Problems will always be there. You can always throw money but that will not be the solution," he said as he urged more Singaporeans to give of their time and effort as volunteers to help those in need.