Jo stars like Brazil claim bronze

A strike Diego and a support Jo gave Brazil its second bronze medal in four Olympics after a 3-0 victory over Belgium in Shanghai Stadium.

Save for a good spell of pressure in the 15 minutes before halftime, the South Americans were largely in control and the scoreline was a fairly accurate description of its dominant position, although perhaps Belgium're unlucky not to score in a warm and humid night in East China.

In fact, the devil Rouges were faster off the blocks and had the opportunity as soon as the second minute when Maarten Martens' esquive right foot shot eluded almost Renan, Brazilian goalkeeper doing well to guide the ball into his arms.

Shortly thereafter, Faris Haroun fed Tom De Mul on the right side, which crossed inside the box in search of Maartens. But with the captain of Belgium to give shape to shoot, Rafinha showed great awareness to nip in front of his man and clear the ball.

Manchester City striker Jo had a great opportunity to open the scoring with ten minutes on the clock, but put his free header from Ronaldinho's corner wide of goal. The latter, meanwhile, was found in the referee's notebook on 26 minutes simulation.

A minute later, Brazil broke the deadlock. Jo, collecting possession in the middle of the field, fed the ball to Rafinha, whose cross was turned home by Diego under pressure from Thomas Vermaelen and Haroun.

After going behind, Belgium played their best football of the match. Maartens Rafinha beat Brazil in the right side and whipped in a cross with the onrushing Kevin Miralles inches away from applying a decisive touch.

The architect of that time had two good opportunities in two minutes to lift Brazil. Right-sided midfielder De Mul found the AZ Alkmaar midfielder inside the box but screwed his shot wide. Then, after some great approach play on the left, Maartens' goalbound shot - he had beaten Renan - was deflected for a corner Breno thigh.

However, with the Europeans committing men forward, gaps remained in the back and they paid the penalty of half-time approached. Ronaldinho played the ball to Ramiro right, which hit a shot inside the near post. Logan Bailly rejected, but the ball fell directly in the path of Jo, who headed the deflection into the empty net.

Trailing 2-0, Belgium coach Jean Francois de Sart made a double substitution in the 54 th minute with Maartens and Miralles from outside Mulemo Landry and Anthony Van den Borre. However, the movement had little impact, since apart from a header off the goal Vermaelen and Jan Vertonghen left-footed drive that was inches away from the goal, Europeans rarely threatened the goal of Brazil.

In a dull second 45, Brazil attacking raids were as rare as the Belgians, but substitute Thiago Silva stung the hands of Bailly with a long drive away. The Racing Genk goalkeeper was called into action again, saving smartly to deny Marcelo his second goal of the tournament.

With seven minutes of play, Sepp De Roover had a great chance to pull one back when Marcelo pasado twisted his way into the box and fired a shot through the legs of Alex Silva. The ball was rejected by Renan unconvincing's right wrist and had the opportunity ido.

Jo added the third with Brazil almost the last shot of the game, Sprint clear after being released by Diego. The tall striker exceeding Vermaelen of pace and shot threaded through the legs of goalkeeper regrettable Belgium.

It is therefore Dunga of Brazil to fly to Beijing to receive their bronze medals on Saturday night, while Belgium is going home empty handed. With this victory, a replica of the 1996 classification podium is still on the cards, giving Nigeria beat Argentina in the final on Saturday. But lightning twice in the men's Olympic Football Tournament? Time will tell.--fifa.com--