Mano Menezes insists Brazil will not take Mexico for granted

Brazil coach Mano Menezes insists his side will not take Mexico for granted this afternoon, as they look to win their country’s first Olympic gold medal in men’s football.

The Seleção have only managed to win silver and bronze medals to date, having lost Olympic finals in 1984, 2-0 to France in the United States, and four years later they lost 2-1 to the Soviet Union in South Korea.

The five-time world champions have been strong favourites to win gold throughout the London tournament, but Menzes says his young side won’t underestimate their Wembley opponents.

Menezes said: "I expect a very difficult final. Mexico have prepared well.

"Their under-23 side played in the Copa America and the Pan-American Games. Now they have added their three over-aged players (Jose Corona, Carlos Salcido and Oribe Peralta) they look very strong."

Mexico topped Group B without conceding a goal, opening with a 0-0 draw against South Korea before beating Gabon 2-0. They eventually overcame Senegal 4-2 in the quarter-final, with the help of extra time, and a 3-1 win over Japan secured their place in the final.

"It's our third chance to win this gold and hopefully we will learn the lessons from the other finals we played and didn't win," Menezes added. "Our team should be congratulated, they have come a long way since May when they were nowhere and now they are in an Olympic final."

This is Brazil’s first final for 24 years and they will be looking to make history by beating El Tricolor.

"We all know that we need to win the gold. Brazil has to win every tournament it plays; it needs to win every match it plays, even if it's a friendly.

"This time even more because it's something the nation has never won before."

Live coverage of the game will start at 14.30 BST on Sambafoot.