RIO 2016 : Neymar leads Brazil to wins Germany to secure their first ever gold medal in Olympic football tournament(photos)

Neymar shed tears of joy after delivering Brazil's first men's soccer gold medal with the winning penalty in a 5-4 shootout triumph over Germany after a thrilling final ended in a draw following extra-time on Saturday.

Brazil had lost the Olympic final three times - in 1984, 1988 and 2012 - but they finally got the gold they craved on a dramatic night at the Maracana stadium in which they outplayed the Germans but were saved three times by the woodwork.

Neymar inspired Brazil to gold in the men’s football tournament – and exorcised demons of the 7-1 defeat to Germany at World Cup 2014.

The Barcelona superstar ran the show, dictating how the final was going to be played and lighting up the Olympics with his mesmerising skills.

When the time came, he stepped up to take the winning penalty, toppling the Germans in their favourite scenario and breaking down in tears after.

But it was almost a disaster start for Brazil, with Julian Brandt curling a right-footed shot off the bar 11 minutes in.

After soaking up some early pressure the hosts, buoyed by a roaring Maracana crowd, came to life.

Neymar spread the ball wide to Douglas Santos on the left who picked out Luan but the forward could not direct his volley on target.

It was the Barcelona star who was at the heart of the attacks and when he won a 26th-minute free-kick it was abundantly clear who was taking it.

Neymar stepped up and curled a sublime shot which had keeper Timo Horn beaten at full stretch to open the scoring.

But almost instantly Germany came within inches of equalising when a free-kick deflected off a Brazilian leg and almost into the net.

Sven Bender then came agonisingly close by crashing a header off the woodwork with 15 minutes until the break.

But this was the Neymar show and every time he picked up the ball the crowd in Rio spurred him on.

The Brazil captain played in Luan who fluffed his lines and then almost scored an audacious flick to send his nation ahead again.

However, just as Neymar was bossing the game, opposite skipper and Schalke star Max Meyer silenced the stadium by finishing off a free-flowing move inside the box and levelling.

As much as Germany tried to shut up shop at the back the Brazilian attack, dictated by Neymar, was not about to quit.

New Manchester City signing Gabriel Jesus almost stroked in a cross and Gabigol wasted a decent chance to lose possession when through on goal.

It was all Brazil as the 90 minutes came to a close and Felipe Anderson and Luan both had decent chances to kill off the game but could not best the German defence.

You would never know it was extra time with the fast, counter-attacking football on display once the game restarted.

Filipe Anderson could have won it in the second half of extra time when Neymar played him in on goal with a delightful reverse pass, only for the Lazio ace to poke straight at Horn.