The final two teams to enter the knock-out stages of the  Men's Soccer tournament battled it out in Group A's final round of matches. Brazil and Denmark wanted to make sure that they were the last two teams to qualify from their group and they managed that, even though Denmark suffered a 4-0 loss to Brazil. 

Brazil knew they had to start well and play with a quick tempo if they were going to find a way through the two banks of four that Denmark had set up in. The team also knew that a good start would have the capacity stadium right behind them from the first whistle. Every touch was greeted with a cheer and every attack was welcomed with an air of expectancy. The young Brazilians, who had failed to live up to expectations before this match, finally met those demands.

Brazil stamp their authority

The first real chance of the game came in the 13th minute when Frederik Børsting fouled Luan near the edge of the box. Neymar stepped up to take the set piece, as he had done all tournament long, and sent in a delivery which found Rodrigo Caio at the far post. Danish goalkeeper Jeppe Højbjerg, came rushing out and made a brave block to prevent Caio from opening the scoring. From the resulting corner, Neymar found Caio open in the box but the defender could only send his volley high over the crossbar. Ten minutes later, Gabriel Jesus was played in by Neymar but the striker could only put his effort into the side-netting as Højbjerg once again closed down the angle quickly.

Neymar and battle for the ball | Source: Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images
Neymar and Børsting battle for the ball | Source: Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images

The floodgates open for Brazil

Many could be forgiven for thinking that this could end up as another night of frustration for Brazil but they finally got the goal their play had deserved. Twenty-six minutes into the first half, left-back Douglas Santos got forward and had his initial cross blocked. The ball fell back at his feet and he then proceeded to put in a fantastic cross into the box which found an on-rushing Gabriel Barbosa at the far post. "Gabigol" made no mistake with his opportunity and flicked the ball past a diving Højbjerg to open the scoring for Brazil in the match and in the tournament overall.

The goal clearly lifted the confidence of the Brazilian team and the watching fans. Their play was sharper, brighter and quicker, and their touches were much cleaner as well. In the 35th minute, the other fullback Zé Carlos, found Gabriel Barbosa with a long ball over the top. Højbjerg again came quickly out to close down the angle and managed to get a touch on Barbosa's chipped effort before conceding a corner. The corner-kick eventually fell to Luan but his header went wide of the far post. A few minutes later, Brazil broke after a Danish free-kick and the ball found Gabriel Jesus in the box but his effort was blocked by Højbjerg and the score remained at 1-0 to Brazil.

One minute later, Brazil were 2-0 up. Luan and Gabriel Barbosa combined on the right flank and Gabriel Barbosa found some space out wide. The forward then sent in a great delivery which found Gabriel Jesus and he tucked it away with ease. It was a welcome goal for the young striker who had struggled with the expectation of leading the line for Brazil and had had so many near misses.

Gabriel Jesus celebrates his goal | Source: Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images
Gabriel Jesus celebrates his goal | Source: Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images

Brazilian magic entertains the crowd in the second half

Brazil's front line -- Neymar, Luan, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Barbosa -- were having their way with Denmark. The fluidity between the four players made it difficult for the Danish defenders to keep a marker on them and this allowed the Brazilians to find gaps to exploit time and time again. Right after the whistle went for the second half to begin, those four players combined to free Luan just outside the box. The forward tried his luck with a curling effort that beat the goalkeeper but went just wide. It was a signal of intent by the Brazilians and they showed that their desire for goals was still there.

Luan got amongst the goals next when in the 50th minute, Neymar found Douglas Santos edging into the box from his left-back position. The fullback cut the ball back to a waiting Luan who was unmarked and slotted the ball home for Brazil's third of the night. The last goal of the night came in the 81st minute which gave Brazil a four goal advantage. Neymar found Gabriel Jesus out wide with a cute lobbed pass and the forward got to the byline before firing an effort at Højbjerg. The goalkeeper parried the effort which was pounced on by Gabriel Barbosa. Barbosa then powered home his second of the night and placed an exclamation mark on a great performance by Brazil, one which was long overdue.

Denmark spend the night chasing shadows

Denmark had no answer for the drive and skill on show by the Brazilians. They barely troubled Weverton in Brazil's goal and spent most of the match trying to stop the Brazilians from scoring more goals. In fact, Denmark only had two really good looks on goal. The first, in the 57th minute, saw Frederik Børsting get into the box after a quick pass got through to him. Rodrigo Caio made an excellent last ditch tackle to prevent Børsting from shooting on goal and the chance was lost for Denmark. Their next, and last, opportunity came in the 71st minute when Jacob Larsen had the opportunity to strike on goal from a direct free-kick. His effort was powerful enough to reach Weverton but it was straight at the goalkeeper who parried it away.

Denmark, although they lost by such a big margin, will play Nigeria in the quarter-finals as they finished second in the group while Brazil, who ended up in first, will face Colombia at the Rio 2016 Olympics as they continue their search for their first Olympic Gold medal in soccer.

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